Utility vehicle with cabin frame

Abstract

A utility vehicle having a cabin-frame assembly coupled to the vehicle body so as to cover rows of seats is provided. Typically, the assembly includes a main frame extended in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle substantially arcuately over the rows of seats, and an intermediate frame extended substantially arcuately and laterally across the vehicle body between the seat rows to support the main frame.

1. A utility vehicle having a plurality of rows of seats and a cabin-frame assembly coupled to a vehicle body so as to cover the rows of seats to define a cabin space of the vehicle, the cabin-frame assembly comprising:
 a main frame extending in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle substantially arcuately over the rows of seats and having a foremost part and a rearmost part; and  
 an intermediate frame extending substantially arcuately and laterally across the vehicle body between the seat rows, and having a pair of pillar portions extended upwardly and a cross portion extended laterally, wherein lower ends of the pillar portions are detachably coupled to opposite sides of the vehicle body by fastener means, and the cross portion is coupled to upper ends of the pillar portions, the intermediate frame is coupled to and configured to support the main frame;  
 wherein the foremost part of the main frame includes a front frame structure extending substantially arcuately and laterally, and a front roof structure extending rearward from a top portion of the front frame structure, wherein the front frame structure includes pillar portions extended upwardly and detachably coupled to opposite sides of a front portion of the vehicle body in front of a foremost seat row by a fastener means, and a cross portion extended laterally and coupled to upper ends of the pillar portions;  
 wherein the rearmost part of the main frame includes a rear frame structure extending substantially arcuately and laterally, and a rear roof structure extending forward from a top portion of the rear frame structure, the rear frame structure includes pillar portions extended upwardly and detachably coupled to opposite sides of a rear portion of the vehicle body near a rearmost seat row by a fastener means, and a cross portion extended laterally and coupled to upper ends of the pillar portions; and  
 wherein the foremost part and the rearmost part are detachably coupled to each other by fastener means.  
 
     
     
       2. The utility vehicle of  claim 1 , wherein the foremost part and the rearmost part are detachably coupled to each other through the intermediate frame by the fastener means. 
     
     
       3. The utility vehicle of  claim 2 , wherein
 a rear end of the front roof structure and a front end of the rear roof structure are configured to connect with the intermediate frame by the fastener means.  
 
     
     
       4. The utility vehicle of  claim 1 , wherein the front roof structure includes a pair of bar-shaped members arranged in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle, substantially in parallel with each other; and
 wherein the bar-shaped members are welded to the front frame structure to form an integral unit.  
 
     
     
       5. The utility vehicle of  claim 1 , further comprising an air cleaner and a CVT cooling system, and wherein the rear frame structure includes:
 an air intake;  
 an air outlet connected to at least one of the air cleaner and the CVT cooling system of the vehicle; and  
 an air passage formed inside the rear frame structure so as to communicate with the air intake and the air outlet.  
 
     
     
       6. The utility vehicle of  claim 1 , wherein the vehicle further includes a cargo bed disposed behind a rearmost seat row, the cargo bed being configured to tilt; and
 wherein the top portion of the rear frame structure is bent forward to form a portion of the rear roof structure, and the bent portion is configured not to interfere with the cargo bed when the cargo bed tilts.  
 
     
     
       7. The utility vehicle of  claim 1 , wherein the rear roof structure includes a pair of bar-shaped members arranged in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle, substantially in parallel with each other; and
 wherein the bar-shaped members are configured to be detachably coupled to the top portion of the rear frame structure.  
 
     
     
       8. The utility vehicle of  claim 1 , wherein respective ends of the rear frame structure are configured to be detachably coupled to opposite sides of the vehicle body adjacent corresponding sides of a rearmost seat row; and
 wherein respective pillar portions of the rear frame structure pass through the corresponding sides of the rearmost seat row and extend above the rearmost seat row at a slant rearward.  
 
     
     
       9. The utility vehicle of  claim 1 , wherein the intermediate frame includes a middle cross member extending laterally between the pillar portions of the intermediate frame; and
 wherein the middle cross member is detachably coupled to middle positions of the pillar portions of the intermediate frame in the vertical direction of the pillar portions to pass through the cabin space.  
 
     
     
       10. The utility vehicle of  claim 9 , wherein the cross member supports a backrest portion of a seat row in front of the cross member. 
     
     
       11. The utility vehicle of  claim 9 , wherein at least a portion of the cross member is configured to be a supporting grip graspable by a passenger seated in a seat row behind the cross frame. 
     
     
       12. The utility vehicle of  claim 8 , wherein the intermediate frame includes a pair of side guides being coupled to and extending forward from respective locations on opposite sides of the intermediate frame. 
     
     
       13. A utility vehicle having a plurality of rows of seats and a cabin-frame assembly coupled to the vehicle body so as to cover the rows of seats to define a cabin space of the vehicle, the cabin-frame assembly comprising:
 a main frame extending in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle substantially arcuately over the rows of seats, wherein a front end of the main frame is coupled to a front portion of the vehicle body and a rear end of the main frame is coupled to a rear portion of the vehicle body;  
 an intermediate frame extending substantially arcuately and laterally across the vehicle body between the seat rows, wherein respective ends of the intermediate frame are coupled to opposite sides of the vehicle body, and the intermediate frame is coupled to and configured to support the main frame; and  
 a cargo bed disposed behind a rearmost seat row, the cargo bed being configured to tilt;  
 wherein the main frame includes a joint formed at an intersection of the main frame and the intermediate frame, the main frame being configured to be divisible at the joint;  
 wherein a rearmost part of the main frame includes a rear frame structure formed in an inverse U-shape extending laterally across the vehicle body, and a rear roof structure extending forward from a top portion of the rear frame structure, wherein a front end of the rear roof structure is configured to connect with the intermediate frame; and  
 wherein the top portion of the rear frame structure is bent forward to form a portion of the rear roof structure, and the bent portion is configured not to interfere with the cargo bed when the cargo bed tilts.  
 
     
     
       14. A utility vehicle having a plurality of rows of seats, a cargo bed disposed behind the seats, rear wheels located below the cargo bed, and a cabin-frame assembly coupled to the vehicle body so as to cover the rows of seats to define a cabin space of the vehicle, the cabin-frame assembly comprising:
 a main frame extending in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle substantially arcuately over the rows of seats, and having a foremost part and a rearmost part, wherein a front end of the foremost part is coupled to a front portion of the vehicle body and a rear end of the rearmost part is coupled to a rear portion of the vehicle body; and  
 an intermediate frame extending substantially arcuately and laterally across the vehicle body between the seat rows, and having a pair of pillar portions extended upwardly and a cross portion extended laterally, wherein lower ends of the pillar portions are coupled to opposite sides of the vehicle body, the cross portion is coupled to upper ends of the pillar portions, and the intermediate frame is coupled to and configured to support the main frame;  
 wherein the foremost part of the main frame includes a front frame structure extending substantially arcuately and laterally, and a front roof structure extending rearward from a top portion of the front frame structure, wherein the front frame structure includes pillar portions coupled to opposite sides of the vehicle body in front of a foremost seat row and extended upwardly, and a cross portion extended laterally and coupled to upper ends of the pillar portions;  
 wherein the rearmost part of the main frame includes a rear frame structure extending substantially arcuately and laterally, and a rear roof structure extending forward from a top portion of the rear frame structure, wherein the rear frame structure includes pillar portions extended upwardly, and a cross portion extended laterally and coupled to upper ends of the pillar portions; and  
 wherein a lower end of the pillar portions of the rear frame structure are coupled to opposite sides of the vehicle body adjacent corresponding sides of a rearmost seat row, the pillar portions of the rear frame structure pass through the corresponding sides of the rearmost seat row and extend above the rearmost seat row at a slant rearward, and thereby a rear end of the pillar portions is located between the rearmost seat row and the cargo bed.  
 
     
     
       15. The utility vehicle of  claim 14 , wherein the intermediate frame includes a middle cross member extending laterally between the pillar portions of the intermediate frame, the middle cross member is coupled to middle positions of the pillar portions of the intermediate frame in the vertical direction of the pillar portions to pass through the cabin space. 
     
     
       16. The utility vehicle of  claim 15 , wherein the cross member is detachably coupled to the pillar portions of the intermediate frame by fastener means. 
     
     
       17. The utility vehicle of  claim 16 , wherein at least a portion of the cross member is configured to be a supporting grip graspable by a passenger seated in a seat row behind the cross frame. 
     
     
       18. The utility vehicle of  claim 14 , wherein the cargo bed is configured to tilt; and
 wherein the top portion of the rear frame structure is bent forward to form a portion of the rear roof structure, and the bent portion is configured not to interfere with the cargo bed when the cargo bed tilts.  
 
     
     
       19. A utility vehicle comprising:
   a vehicle body;        a plurality of rows of seats coupled to the vehicle body, including a rear seat and a front seat, at least the rear seat being configured to be retractable from a deployed configuration to a stowed configuration;        a cabin - frame assembly coupled to the vehicle body so as to cover the rows of seats to define a cabin space of the vehicle, the cabin - frame assembly including a main frame extending in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle over the rows of seats, the main frame having a rear frame structure that is coupled to the vehicle body adjacent the rear seat, and a front frame structure that is coupled to the vehicle body at a location of the vehicle in front of the front seat, the main frame being comprised of metal pipes; and        a cargo bed adjustably provided behind the rear seat such that a part of the cargo bed is configured to be moved into an area formerly occupied by the rear seat after the rear seat is retracted to the stowed configuration.      
     
     
       20. The utility vehicle of  claim 19 , wherein the rear seat is configured to be retracted into a leg space of the rear seat, the leg space being defined as a space in front of the rear seat, to be in the stowed configuration.  
     
     
       21. The utility vehicle of  claim 20 , wherein the rear seat includes a bottom portion upon which one or more passengers may sit.  
     
     
       22. The utility vehicle of  claim 21 , wherein a front end of the bottom portion is hinged to the vehicle body so as to be pivotable around a pivot.  
     
     
       23. The utility vehicle of  claim 22 , wherein the bottom portion is connected to the pivot through an arm extending downwardly from the front end of the bottom portion, so that a bottom surface of the bottom portion is moved to a location forward of the pivot when the rear seat is retracted into the stowed configuration.  
     
     
       24. The utility vehicle of  claim 19 , wherein the part of the cargo bed that is configured to be moved into an area formerly occupied by the rear seat after the rear seat is retracted to the stowed configuration, includes extendable portions of a surrounding panel assembly formed around a perimeter of the cargo bed, the extendable portions being configured to be extended from a retracted configuration to an extended configuration, when the rear seat is in the stowed configuration.  
     
     
       25. The utility vehicle of  claim 24 , wherein the extendable portions are configured to slide from the retracted configuration to the extended configuration.  
     
     
       26. The utility vehicle of  claim 25 , wherein the extendable portions form respective side portions of the cargo bed in the retracted configuration.  
     
     
       27. The utility vehicle of  claim 24 , wherein the extendable portions are attached to respective side panels of the cargo bed by corresponding hinges, and are configured to pivot from the retracted configuration to the extended configuration.  
     
     
       28. The utility vehicle of  claim 27 , wherein the extendable portions form respective parts of a front panel of the cargo bed, in the retracted configuration.  
     
     
       29. The utility vehicle of  claim 27 , wherein the extendable portions form respective parts of the corresponding side panels of the cargo bed, in the extended configuration.  
     
     
       30. The utility vehicle of  claim 19 , wherein the cargo bed is moveable from an overhang configuration to a compact configuration in which less of the cargo bed extends over a rear wheel of the vehicle than in the overhang configuration, when the rear seat is in the stowed configuration.  
     
     
       31. The utility vehicle of  claim 30 , wherein the portion of the cargo bed in the compact configuration occupies the area formerly occupied by the seat in the deployed configuration.  
     
     
       32. The utility vehicle of  claim 19 , wherein each of the front frame structure and rear frame structure are formed in an inverse U- shape extending laterally across the vehicle body.    
     
     
       33. The utility vehicle of  claim 32 , wherein the cabin frame assembly further includes an intermediate frame coupled to and configured to support the main frame, the intermediate frame extending substantially arcuately and laterally across the vehicle body between the seat rows.  
     
     
       34. The utility vehicle of  claim 33 , wherein the intermediate frame has a pair of pillar portions extended upwardly and a cross portion extended laterally, wherein lower ends of the pillar portions are detachably coupled to opposite sides of the vehicle body, and the cross portion is coupled to upper ends of the pillar portions, and wherein the intermediate frame is comprised of metal pipes.  
     
     
       35. The utility vehicle of  claim 19 , wherein the front frame structure is coupled to the vehicle body adjacent a hood of the vehicle.  
     
     
       36. A utility vehicle comprising:
   a vehicle body;        a plurality of rows of seats coupled to the vehicle body, including a rear seat and a front seat, at least the rear seat being configured to be retractable from a deployed configuration to a stowed configuration;        a cabin - frame assembly coupled to the vehicle body so as to cover the rows of seats to define a cabin space of the vehicle, the cabin - frame assembly including a main frame extending in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle over the rows of seats and defining a passageway through which passengers may enter and exit the seats, the main frame having a rear frame structure that is coupled to the vehicle body adjacent the rear seat, and a front frame structure that is coupled to the vehicle body at a location of the vehicle in front of the front seat, the main frame being comprised of metal pipes, wherein each of the front frame structure and rear frame structure are formed in an inverse U - shape extending laterally across the vehicle body; and        a cargo bed adjustably provided behind the rear seat such that a part of the cargo bed is configured to be moved through the rear frame structure into an area formerly occupied by the rear seat after the rear seat is retracted to the stowed configuration.      
     
     
       37. The utility vehicle of  claim 36 , wherein the rear seat is configured to be retracted into a leg space of the rear seat, the leg space being defined as a space in front of the rear seat, to be in the stowed configuration.  
     
     
       38. The utility vehicle of  claim 37 , wherein the rear seat includes a bottom portion upon which one or more passengers may sit.  
     
     
       39. The utility vehicle of  claim 38 , wherein a front end of the bottom portion is hinged to the vehicle body so as to be pivotable around a pivot.  
     
     
       40. The utility vehicle of  claim 39 , wherein the bottom portion is connected to the pivot through an arm extending downwardly from the front end of the bottom portion, so that a bottom surface of the bottom portion is moved to a location forward of the pivot when the rear seat is retracted into the stowed configuration.  
     
     
       41. The utility vehicle of  claim 36 , wherein the part of the cargo bed that is configured to be moved into an area formerly occupied by the rear seat after the rear seat is retracted to the stowed configuration, includes extendable portions of a surrounding panel assembly formed around a perimeter of the cargo bed, the extendable portions being configured to be extended from a retracted configuration to an extended configuration, when the rear seat is in the stowed configuration.  
     
     
       42. The utility vehicle of  claim 41 , wherein the extendable portions are configured to slide from the retracted configuration to the extended configuration.  
     
     
       43. The utility vehicle of  claim 42 , wherein the extendable portions form respective side portions of the cargo bed in the retracted configuration.  
     
     
       44. The pick- up style utility vehicle of    claim 41   , wherein the extendable portions are attached to respective side panels of the cargo bed by hinges, and are configured to pivot from the retracted configuration to the extended configuration.    
     
     
       45. The utility vehicle of  claim 44 , wherein the extendable portions form part of a front panel of the cargo bed in the retracted configuration.  
     
     
       46. The utility vehicle of  claim 44 , wherein the extendable portions form respective parts of the corresponding side panels of the cargo bed, in the extended configuration.  
     
     
       47. The utility vehicle of  claim 36 , wherein the cargo bed is moveable from an overhang configuration to a compact configuration in which less of the cargo bed extends over a rear wheel of the vehicle than in the overhang configuration, when the rear seat is in the stowed configuration.  
     
     
       48. The utility vehicle of  claim 47 , wherein the portion of the cargo bed in the compact configuration occupies the area formerly occupied by the seat in the deployed configuration.  
     
     
       49. The utility vehicle of  claim 36 , wherein the cabin frame assembly further includes an intermediate frame coupled to and configured to support the main frame, the intermediate frame extending substantially arcuately and laterally across the vehicle body between the seat rows.  
     
     
       50. The utility vehicle of  claim 49 , wherein the intermediate frame has a pair of pillar portions extended upwardly and a cross portion extended laterally, wherein lower ends of the pillar portions are detachably coupled to opposite sides of the vehicle body, and the cross portion is coupled to upper ends of the pillar portions, and wherein the intermediate frame is comprised of metal pipes.  
     
     
       51. The utility vehicle of  claim 36 , wherein the front frame structure is coupled to the vehicle body adjacent a hood of the vehicle.  
     
     
       52. A utility vehicle comprising:
   a vehicle body;        a plurality of rows of seats coupled to the vehicle body, including a rear seat and a front seat, at least the rear seat being configured to be retractable from a deployed configuration to a stowed configuration, wherein the rear seat is configured to be retracted into a leg space of the rear seat, the leg space being defined as a space in front of the rear seat, to be in the stowed configuration;        a cabin - frame assembly coupled to the vehicle body so as to cover the rows of seats to define a cabin space of the vehicle, the cabin - frame assembly including a main frame extending in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle over the rows of seats and defining a passageway through which passengers may enter and exit the seats, the main frame having a rear frame structure that is coupled to the vehicle body adjacent the rear seat, and a front frame structure that is coupled to the vehicle body at a location of the vehicle in front of the front seat, the main frame being comprised of metal pipes, wherein each of the front frame structure and rear frame structure are formed in an inverse U - shape extending laterally across the vehicle body; and        a cargo bed adjustably provided behind the rear seat such that a part of the cargo bed is configured to be moved through the rear frame structure into an area formerly occupied by the rear seat after the rear seat is retracted to the stowed configuration, wherein said part of the cargo bed includes extendable portions of a surrounding panel assembly formed around a perimeter of the cargo bed, the extendable portions being configured to be extended from a retracted configuration to an extended configuration, when the rear seat is in the stowed configuration, wherein the extendable portions are pivotably attached to respective side panels of the cargo bed, and are configured to pivot from the retracted configuration to the extended configuration, and wherein the extendable portions form part of a front panel of the cargo bed in the retracted configuration.      
     
     
       53. A utility vehicle comprising:
   a vehicle body;        a plurality of rows of seats coupled to the vehicle body, including a rear seat and a front seat;        a cabin - frame assembly coupled to the vehicle body so as to cover the rows of seats to define a cabin space of the vehicle, the cabin - frame assembly including a main frame extending in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle over the rows of seats and defining a passageway through which passengers may enter and exit the seats, and having a rear frame structure that is coupled to the vehicle body adjacent the rear seat, wherein the rear frame structure is formed in an inverse U - shape extending laterally across the vehicle body, the main frame being comprised of metal pipes; and        a cargo bed adjustably provided behind the rear seat, the cargo bed including a surrounding panel assembly formed around a perimeter of the cargo bed, the panel assembly having extendable portions that are configured to be extended from a retracted configuration that does not extend through the inverse U - shaped rear frame structure, to an extended configuration that does extend through the inverse U - shaped rear frame structure.      
     
     
       54. The pick- up style utility vehicle of    claim 53   , wherein the extendable portions are configured to slide from the retracted configuration to the extended configuration.    
     
     
       55. The pick- up style utility vehicle of    claim 54   , wherein the extendable portions form respective side portions of the cargo bed in the retracted configuration.    
     
     
       56. The pick- up style utility vehicle of    claim 53   , wherein the extendable portions are attached to respective side panels of the cargo bed by hinges, and are configured to pivot from the retracted configuration to the extended configuration.    
     
     
       57. The pick- up style utility vehicle of    claim 56   , wherein the extendable portions form part of a front panel of the cargo bed in the retracted configuration.    
     
     
       58. The pick- up style utility vehicle of    claim 56   , wherein the extendable portions form respective parts of the corresponding side panels of the cargo bed, in the extended configuration.