US20180170218A1 - Vehicle - Google Patents
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- US20180170218A1 US20180170218A1 US15/836,926 US201715836926A US2018170218A1 US 20180170218 A1 US20180170218 A1 US 20180170218A1 US 201715836926 A US201715836926 A US 201715836926A US 2018170218 A1 US2018170218 A1 US 2018170218A1
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- United States
- Prior art keywords
- seat
- cargo bed
- vehicle
- vehicle according
- seat bottom
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Abandoned
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Classifications
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- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
- B60N—SEATS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR VEHICLES; VEHICLE PASSENGER ACCOMMODATION NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- B60N2/00—Seats specially adapted for vehicles; Arrangement or mounting of seats in vehicles
- B60N2/24—Seats specially adapted for vehicles; Arrangement or mounting of seats in vehicles for particular purposes or particular vehicles
- B60N2/30—Non-dismountable or dismountable seats storable in a non-use position, e.g. foldable spare seats
- B60N2/3038—Cushion movements
- B60N2/304—Cushion movements by rotation only
- B60N2/3045—Cushion movements by rotation only about transversal axis
- B60N2/305—Cushion movements by rotation only about transversal axis the cushion being hinged on the vehicle frame
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
- B60N—SEATS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR VEHICLES; VEHICLE PASSENGER ACCOMMODATION NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- B60N2/00—Seats specially adapted for vehicles; Arrangement or mounting of seats in vehicles
- B60N2/005—Arrangement or mounting of seats in vehicles, e.g. dismountable auxiliary seats
- B60N2/01—Arrangement of seats relative to one another
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
- B60N—SEATS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR VEHICLES; VEHICLE PASSENGER ACCOMMODATION NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- B60N2/00—Seats specially adapted for vehicles; Arrangement or mounting of seats in vehicles
- B60N2/02—Seats specially adapted for vehicles; Arrangement or mounting of seats in vehicles the seat or part thereof being movable, e.g. adjustable
- B60N2/04—Seats specially adapted for vehicles; Arrangement or mounting of seats in vehicles the seat or part thereof being movable, e.g. adjustable the whole seat being movable
- B60N2/06—Seats specially adapted for vehicles; Arrangement or mounting of seats in vehicles the seat or part thereof being movable, e.g. adjustable the whole seat being movable slidable
- B60N2/065—Rear seats
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- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
- B60N—SEATS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR VEHICLES; VEHICLE PASSENGER ACCOMMODATION NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- B60N2/00—Seats specially adapted for vehicles; Arrangement or mounting of seats in vehicles
- B60N2/24—Seats specially adapted for vehicles; Arrangement or mounting of seats in vehicles for particular purposes or particular vehicles
- B60N2/30—Non-dismountable or dismountable seats storable in a non-use position, e.g. foldable spare seats
- B60N2/3002—Non-dismountable or dismountable seats storable in a non-use position, e.g. foldable spare seats back-rest movements
- B60N2/302—Non-dismountable or dismountable seats storable in a non-use position, e.g. foldable spare seats back-rest movements by translation only
- B60N2/3022—Non-dismountable or dismountable seats storable in a non-use position, e.g. foldable spare seats back-rest movements by translation only along longitudinal axis
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- B60N2/48—
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- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
- B60N—SEATS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR VEHICLES; VEHICLE PASSENGER ACCOMMODATION NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- B60N2/00—Seats specially adapted for vehicles; Arrangement or mounting of seats in vehicles
- B60N2/68—Seat frames
- B60N2/688—Particular seat belt attachment and guiding
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- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
- B60N—SEATS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR VEHICLES; VEHICLE PASSENGER ACCOMMODATION NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- B60N2/00—Seats specially adapted for vehicles; Arrangement or mounting of seats in vehicles
- B60N2/80—Head-rests
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- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B62—LAND VEHICLES FOR TRAVELLING OTHERWISE THAN ON RAILS
- B62D—MOTOR VEHICLES; TRAILERS
- B62D21/00—Understructures, i.e. chassis frame on which a vehicle body may be mounted
- B62D21/02—Understructures, i.e. chassis frame on which a vehicle body may be mounted comprising longitudinally or transversely arranged frame members
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B62—LAND VEHICLES FOR TRAVELLING OTHERWISE THAN ON RAILS
- B62D—MOTOR VEHICLES; TRAILERS
- B62D21/00—Understructures, i.e. chassis frame on which a vehicle body may be mounted
- B62D21/12—Understructures, i.e. chassis frame on which a vehicle body may be mounted assembled from readily detachable parts
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B62—LAND VEHICLES FOR TRAVELLING OTHERWISE THAN ON RAILS
- B62D—MOTOR VEHICLES; TRAILERS
- B62D27/00—Connections between superstructure or understructure sub-units
- B62D27/06—Connections between superstructure or understructure sub-units readily releasable
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B62—LAND VEHICLES FOR TRAVELLING OTHERWISE THAN ON RAILS
- B62D—MOTOR VEHICLES; TRAILERS
- B62D33/00—Superstructures for load-carrying vehicles
- B62D33/02—Platforms; Open load compartments
Definitions
- the present specification relates to technologies of four-wheel vehicles.
- U.S. Pat. No. 8,353,534 discloses a vehicle including rear seats that can fold in the forward direction. As the rear seat is folded forward, the rear surface of the seat back (rear surface of a portion for supporting the rider's back) of the rear seat becomes the floor of the cargo bed. According to U.S. Pat. No. 8,353,534, folding the rear seats forward increases the capacity of the cargo bed.
- An object of the present disclosure is to provide a vehicle that enables the cargo bed to have a sufficient capacity while preventing the vehicle body from increasing in size and securing freedom of the shape of the rear seat.
- An embodiment of a vehicle comprises: right and left front wheels; right and left rear wheels; a body frame; right and left front seats mounted on the body frame; a cargo bed located rearward of the right and left front seats; a guide rail disposed on the cargo bed; and a rear seat including a seat frame that is attached on the guide rail and is slidable in a front-rear direction along the guide rail.
- This embodiment enables the cargo bed to have a sufficient capacity while preventing the vehicle body from increasing in size and securing freedom of the shape of the rear seat.
- the rear seat may include a seat bottom positioned at a bottom of the rear seat and a seat back located on a rear side of the seat bottom, and at least the seat back may be fixed to the seat frame and slidable in the front-rear direction.
- the seat bottom may be movable independently of the seat back. This structure enables the seat back to have an increased movable range.
- the seat bottom may be movable to a laid position at which the seat bottom allows a rider to sit thereon; and the seat bottom may tee movable to a increased movable range.
- a seat surface of the seat bottom may face forward. This structure prevents cargo placed in the cargo bed from being in contact with the seat surface of the seat bottom.
- the rear seat may include a seat bottom positioned at a bottom of the rear seat and a seat back located on a rear side of the seat bottom, and the seat bottom may be located in a space defined forward of the cargo bed in a state where the rear seat does not allow a rider to sit thereon.
- This structure enables the seat back to have an increased movable range.
- the seat bottom may be movable around a pivot shaft so that the seat bottom may be placed in the laid position or the standing position. With this structure, the movement of the seat bottom can be easily made.
- the pivot shaft may be located at a front end of the cargo bed. This structure increases the movable range of the seat back.
- the seat bottom when the seat bottom is in a laid position allowing a rider to sit thereon, the seat bottom may be located on the guide rail. This structure increases the support strength for the seat bottom.
- the seat back may include a back rest portion which is a lower portion of the seat back for supporting a rider's back, and a head rest portion which is an upper portion of the seat back for supporting the rider's head, and both of the head rest portion and the back rest portion may be integrally movable in the front-rear direction along the guide rail.
- the rear seat may be movable to a first state in which the rear seat allows a rider to sit thereon and to a second state in which the rear seat does not allow the rider to sit thereon, and when an area in which the seat bottom is located when the rear seat is in the first state is defined as a seat bottom area, at least a part of the seat back may be located in a front part of the seat bottom area in a state where the rear seat is in the second state of the rear seat.
- This structure enables the cargo bed to have a sufficient area for loading cargo when the rear seat is in the second state.
- the rear seat may include a seat bottom position at a bottom of the rear seat and a seat back located on a rear side of the seat bottom, and a cross portion may be located behind the seat back.
- the seat back may be supported by the cross portion when the seat back is in the usable state.
- the rear seat may be provided with a seat belt mechanism which includes a belt.
- a guide anchor that guides the belt is attached to the cross portion. This structure eliminates necessity for a dedicated member that supports the guide anchor.
- the rear seat may be provided with a seat belt mechanism including a belt, a joint provided to the belt, and a buckle for the joint to be connected.
- the cargo bed may have an accommodating portion that accommodates the buckle. This structure prevents the buckle from being an obstacle to cargo placed on the cargo bed.
- the accommodating portion may be concave, and the cargo bed may include a lid for closing the accommodating portion. This structure prevents the buckle from being an obstacle to cargo placed on the cargo bed when the rear seat is in the unusable state.
- the cargo bed may include a cargo bed floor that has a convex portion and a concave portion, each extending in the front-rear direction, and the guide rail may fit into the concave portion or the convex portion.
- This structure increases the rigidity of the cargo bed floor. Further, this structure prevents the guide rail from being an obstacle to cargo placed in the cargo bed.
- the embodiment described in (1) may further comprise a roll cage covering the front seats and the rear seat.
- the roll cage may include a portion located further rearward than the rear seat.
- the cargo bed may include a portion located further rearward than the portion of the roll cage.
- FIG. 1 is a side view showing an example of a vehicle of an embodiment according to the present disclosure.
- FIG. 2 is a rear view of the vehicle.
- FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing the vehicle frame of the vehicle obliquely viewed from the rear of the vehicle.
- FIG. 4 is a side view of the vehicle frame of the vehicle.
- FIG. 5A is a perspective view of a lower frame (main body frame) constituting the vehicle frame.
- FIG. 5B is a perspective view of an upper frame (roll cage) constituting the vehicle frame.
- FIG. 6 is a side view of the rear seat. In this figure the rear seat is in a usable state.
- FIG. 7 is a plan view of the cargo bed provided in the rear portion of the vehicle body. In this figure, the rear seats are in the usable state.
- FIG. 8 is a perspective view showing a structure of the rear seat.
- the seat bottom is arranged in a standing posture.
- FIG. 9 is a plan view of a frame rear portion constituting the rear part of the lower frame.
- FIG. 10 is a plan view of the cargo bed. In this figure, the rear seats are arranged in an unusable state.
- FIG. 11 is a side view of the rear seat. In this figure, the rear seat is in an unusable state.
- FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line XII-XII indicated in FIG. 7 .
- FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line XIII-XIII indicated in FIG. 10 .
- FIG. 1 is a side view of a vehicle 1 which is an example of the embodiments of the present invention.
- FIG. 2 is a rear view of the vehicle 1 .
- FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing the vehicle 1 obliquely viewed from the rear.
- FIG. 4 is a side view of the vehicle frame Fv of the vehicle 1 .
- FIG. 5A is a perspective view of the lower frame 20 constituting a part of the vehicle frame Fv.
- FIG. 5B is a perspective view of an upper frame (roll cage) 30 constituting a part of the vehicle frame Fv.
- FIG. 6 is a side view of the rear seat 50
- FIG. 7 is a plan view of the cargo bed 40 provided in the rear portion of the vehicle body.
- FIGS. 1 is a side view of a vehicle 1 which is an example of the embodiments of the present invention.
- FIG. 2 is a rear view of the vehicle 1 .
- FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing the vehicle 1 obliquely
- FIG. 8 is a perspective view showing a structure of the rear seat 50 .
- the seat bottom 52 is arranged at the standing position.
- FIG. 9 is a plan view of the frame rear portion 20 R constituting the rear portion of the lower frame 20 .
- FIG. 10 is a plan view of the cargo bed 40
- FIG. 11 is a side view of the rear seat 50 .
- the rear seat 50 is arranged in an “unusable state” described later.
- the directions indicated by Y 1 and Y 2 in those figures will be referred to as a “forward direction” and a “rearward direction”, respectively.
- the directions indicated by Z 1 and Z 2 are referred to as an “upward direction” and a “downward direction”, respectively.
- the directions indicated by X 1 and X 2 are referred to as a “rightward direction” and a “leftward direction”, respectively.
- the vehicle 1 is a vehicle that is suitable for use on rough terrain and is refereed to as an all terrain vehicle (ATV), a “Side-by-Side vehicle”, an “Utility vehicle”, and a “Recreational Off-Highway vehicle”.
- ATV all terrain vehicle
- the vehicle 1 includes right and left front wheels 2 and right and left rear wheels 3 .
- the vehicle 1 includes right and left front seats 4 .
- a steering wheel 6 for steering the front wheels 2 is located ahead of the left front seat 4 on the left side.
- the vehicle 1 further includes right and left rear seats 50 located rearward of the front seats 4 and a cargo bed 40 also located rearward of the front seats 4 .
- the rear seats 50 in the example of the vehicle 1 are mounted on the cargo bed 40 .
- An engine unit 7 (see FIG. 4 ) including an engine and a transmission is disposed in an almost middle portion of the vehicle body in the front-rear direction.
- the power of the engine unit 7 is transmitted to both the front wheels 2 and the rear wheels 3 , or to one of the front wheels 2 and the rear wheels 3 through a drive shaft, (not shown).
- the engine unit 7 is located between the right and left front seats 4 .
- the engine unit 7 is located ahead of the cargo bed 40 (in other words, the rear portion 20 R of the vehicle frame Fv to be described later).
- the arrangement of the engine unit 7 is not limited to the example of the vehicle 1 .
- the vehicle 1 includes a vehicle frame Fv.
- the vehicle frame Fv includes a lower frame 20 on which the seats 4 , 50 and the engine unit 7 are mounted.
- the vehicle frame Fv also includes and an upper frame 30 covering the seats 4 and 50 .
- the lower frame 20 will be hereinafter referred to as a “main body frame”.
- the upper frame 30 will be referred to as a “roll cage”.
- the main body frame 20 and the roll cage 30 are separately formed and connected to each other in the vertical direction by fixing means such as welding or bolts. That is, the main body frame 20 includes a plurality of constituent elements (for example, pipes) each of which is integrally made of a metal.
- the roll cage 30 includes a plurality of constituent elements (for example, 20 pipes) made of a metal separately from the constituent elements of the main body frame 20 .
- the constituent elements of the main body frame 20 and the constituent elements of the roll cage 30 are connected to each other by fixing means such as welding or bolts.
- the phrase “the upper frame 30 covers the seats 4 and 50 ” means that at least a part of the upper frame 30 is positioned above the seats 4 and 50 in a side view, and thus, the upper frame 30 may not overlap with the seats 4 and 50 in a planar view.
- the main body frame 20 includes a frame front portion 20 F located between the right and left front wheels 2 .
- the frame front portion 20 F supports the front wheels 2 through a suspension 8 (see FIG. 1 ) and through arms (not shown) extending in the right-left direction.
- the main body frame 20 also includes a frame rear portion 20 R located between the right and left rear wheels 3 .
- the frame rear portion 20 R also supports the rear wheels 3 through a suspension (not shown) and through arms (not shown) extending in the right-left direction.
- a cargo bed frame 20 C that is a frame of the cargo bed 40 to be described later is formed on the upper side of the frame rear portion 20 R.
- the cargo bed frame 20 C protrudes rearward from the frame rear portion 20 R.
- the main body frame 20 includes a frame middle portion 20 M located between the frame front portion 20 F and the frame rear portion 20 R.
- the frame middle portion 20 M has the engine unit 7 and the front seats 4 mounted thereon.
- the frame middle portion 20 M includes extending portions 21 on its right and left portions.
- the extending portion 21 includes, in the middle frame portion 20 M, a middle portion 21 B extending in the front-rear direction, a front vertical portion 21 A extending obliquely upward from the front portion of the middle portion 21 B, and a rear vertical portion 21 C extending obliquely upward from the rear portion of the middle portion 21 .
- the extending portion 21 includes, in the frame middle portion 20 M, a middle vertical portion 21 F extending upward from the mid portion of the middle portion 21 B. Additionally, the extending portion 21 includes a side wall extending portion 21 D extending rearward from an upper portion of the rear vertical portion 21 C.
- the side wall extending portion 21 D constitutes the side wall 41 (see FIG. 3 ) of the cargo bed 40 . Further, the extending portion 21 has a cargo bed vertically extending portion 21 E extending upward from the side wall extending portion 21 D.
- Each portion of the extending portion 21 is formed of a pipe, for example, but it is not necessarily limited thereto.
- the extending portion 21 may be an integrally formed member, or the extending portion 21 may be constituted by plural members (for example, pipes) connected to each other.
- the middle portion 21 B and the front vertical portion 21 A may be one pipe integrally formed
- the rear vertical portion 21 C and the side wall extending portion 21 D may be one pipe integrally formed
- the two pipes are connected to each other by fixing means such as such as welding or bolts.
- the frame middle portion 20 M includes a bottom 23 between the right and left middle portions 21 B.
- the bottom 23 includes, for example, a bottom panel 23 a, members 23 b extending in the right-left direction and joined to the bottom panel 23 a, members 23 c extending in the front-rear direction and joined to the bottom panel 23 a.
- the right and left middle portions 21 B are joined (for example, welded) to the left and right edges of the bottom 23 , respectively.
- the engine unit 7 and the front seat 4 are supported by the bottom 23 .
- plural cross portions 22 A, 22 B, 22 C extend between the right and left extending portions 21 .
- the structure of the main body frame 20 and the shape of each portion are not limited to the example in the vehicle 1 .
- the bottom 23 of the main body frame 20 does not necessarily include the bottom panel 23 a.
- the roll cage 30 includes right and left front vertically extending portions 31 A, right and left upper extending portions 31 B, right and left rear vertically extending portions 31 C, and right and left middle vertically extending portions 31 D (See FIG. 5 ).
- the front vertically extending portion 31 A is located forward of the front seat 4 in a side view of the vehicle body and extends in the vertical direction. Specifically, in the example of the vehicle 1 , the front vertically extending portion 31 A extends obliquely rearward and upward.
- the front vertically extending portion 31 A is connected to the front vertical portion 21 A of the main body frame 20 by fixing members such as bolts.
- the upper extending portion 31 B is located above the seats 4 and 50 in a side view of the vehicle body and extends in the front-rear direction.
- the rear vertically extending portion 31 C extends downward from the rear portion of the upper extending portion 31 B and is located rearward of at least the front seat 4 .
- the rear vertically extending portion 31 C is located slightly rearward of the rear seat 50 .
- the rear vertically extending portion 31 C may overlap the rear seat 50 (more specifically, the seat back 51 described later) in side view or the vehicle body.
- the rear vertically extending portion 31 C in the example of the vehicle 1 is arranged in the vertical direction in general, but it may be inclined in a forward or backward direction.
- the rear vertically extending portion 31 C is connected to the cargo bed vertically extending portion 21 E of the cargo bed frame 20 C, for example, by fixing members such as bolts.
- the right and left rear vertically extending portions 31 C are apart from each other in the right-left direction and thus users can load and unload cargo into the cargo bed 40 through the opening caused between the right and left rear vertically extending portions 31 C.
- the middle vertically extending portion 31 D extends downward from a mid portion of the upper extending portion 31 B and is located between the front vertically extending portion 31 A and the rear vertically extending portion 31 C in a side view of the vehicle body.
- the middle vertically extending portion 31 D overlaps the front seat 4 (more specifically, the seat back 4 a of the front seat 4 ) in a side view of the vehicle body (see FIG. 1 ).
- the middle vertically extending portion 31 D may be located slightly rearward of the front seat 4 .
- the middle vertically extending portion 31 D is connected to the middle vertical portion 21 F of the main body frame 20 by fixing members such as bolts, for example.
- the roll cage 30 also includes a plurality of cross portions 32 A to 32 E extending in the right-left direction to connect the right and left extending portions 31 A to 31 D.
- three cross portions 32 A, 32 B, 32 C extend between right and left upper extending portions 31 B.
- a cross portion 32 D extends between the right and left rear vertically extending portions 31 C.
- a cross portion 32 E extends between the right and left middle vertically extending portions 31 D.
- the cross portions 32 D and 32 E will be described later in detail.
- a roof 11 is attached to the roll cage 30 to cover the seats 4 and 60 .
- the roof 11 is attached to, for example, the right and left upper extending portions 31 B and the cross portions 32 A, 32 B, and 32 C, connected to the upper extending portions 31 B.
- the roof 11 is made of resin, for example.
- the cross portions 32 A to 32 E are formed separately from, one another, and both ends of each cross portion 32 A to 32 E are connected to the extending portions 31 A to 31 D by fixing means such as welding or bolt.
- the connection structure of portions of the roll cage 30 may be changed.
- the right and left front vertically extending portions 31 A and the front cross portion 32 A may be integrally formed of single pipe-like member.
- the right and left middle vertically extending portions 31 D and the central cross portion 32 B may be integrally formed, of single pipe-like member.
- the right and left rear vertically extending portions and the rear cross portion 32 C may be integrally formed of single pipe-like member.
- the vehicle 1 includes a cargo bed 40 at the rear portion thereof.
- the cargo bed 40 includes a cargo bed floor 43 (see FIG. 7 ) on which cargo is placed.
- the cargo bed 40 also includes side walls 41 located on the right and left sides of the cargo bed floor 43 and a rear wall 42 located at the rear edge of the cargo bed floor 43 .
- the lower portion of the rear vertically extending portion 31 C of the roll cage 30 is connected to the cargo bed frame 20 C constituting the cargo bed 40 .
- the cargo bed frame 20 C includes the side wall extending portions 21 D and the cargo bed vertically extending portions 21 E described above.
- the cargo bed floor 43 of the cargo bed 40 includes an area A 1 extending forward beyond the plane P 1 defined by the right and left rear vertically extending portions 31 C (in other words, the plane P 1 is defined as a plane parallel to the right-left direction of the vehicle body and passing through the right and left rear vertically extending portions 31 C.).
- the cargo bed frame 20 C includes the cargo bed vertically extending portion 21 E extending upward from the side wall extending portion 21 D to connect to the rear vertically extending portion 31 C of the roll cage 30 .
- the area A 1 of the cargo bed floor 43 is located further forward than the connection portion between the side wall extending portion 21 D and the cargo bed vertically extending portion 21 E of the cargo bed frame 20 C in a side view of the vehicle body.
- the connection structure between the cargo bed frame 20 C and the roll cage 30 is not limited to the example of the vehicle 1 .
- the lower portion of the rear vertically extending portion 31 C of the roll cage 30 may be directly connected to the side wall extending portion 21 D of the cargo bed frame 20 C.
- the right and left rear seats 50 are disposed on the cargo bed floor 43 .
- the rear seat 50 includes a seat bottom 52 (see FIG. 7 ) located in the lower part of the rear seat 50 and including an upper surface for the rider to sit on, and a seat back 51 standing on the rear side of the seat bottom 52 and including a front surface for supporting the back of the rider.
- the seat bottom 52 is disposed in the area A 1 of the cargo bed floor 43 in a plan view of the vehicle body.
- the front edge of the seat bottom 52 is located along the front edge 43 a of the cargo bed floor 43 in a plan view of the vehicle body.
- the front edge of the seat bottom 52 may be located slightly forward of the front edge 43 a of the cargo bed floor 43 , and alternatively may be located slightly rearward of the front edge 43 a of the cargo bed floor 43 .
- the entire seat bottom 52 may be located on the cargo bed floor 43 , and alternatively only a part of the seat bottom 52 may be located within the area A 1 of the cargo bed floor 43 .
- the rear seat 50 is configured to be movable so as to expand the capacity of the cargo bed 40 . That is, the cargo bed floor 43 includes an area in which the seat bottom 52 is located (an area covered by the seat bottom 52 ) when the rear seat 50 is in its usable state. The seat is configured to recede from at least a part of the area. As will be described later, in the example of the vehicle 1 , guide rails 44 extending in the front-rear direction are attached to the area A 1 of the cargo bed floor 43 (see FIG. 10 ). The rear seat 50 (in more detail, the seat back 51 ) is slidable in the front-rear direction along the guide rails 44 . The forward slide of the rear seat 50 increases the capacity of the cargo bed 40 .
- the movement mode of the rear seat 50 is not limited to the example in the vehicle 1 .
- the seat back 51 of the rear seat 50 may be configured to be movable toward the side wall 41 of the cargo bed 40 .
- the seat back 51 may be turnable toward the side wall 41 of the cargo bed 40 .
- the seat back 51 may be foldable in a forward direction.
- the cargo bed floor 43 includes an area A 2 formed behind the area A 1 . That is, the cargo bed floor 43 includes an area A 2 located rearward of the plane PI defined by the rear vertically extending portions 31 C of the roll cage 30 (hereinafter, the area AI is referred to as a “front area” and the area A 2 is referred to as a “rear area”).
- the rear area A 2 is located further rearward than the cross portion 32 D extending between the right and left rear vertically extending portions 31 C in a plan view of the vehicle body.
- the rear area A 2 is located further rearward than the rear seats 50 in a plan view of the vehicle body.
- the rear area A 2 is located further rearward than the rear end (upper end) of the seat backs 51 in the plan view of the vehicle body. Unlike, the example of the vehicle 1 , a part of the rear area A 2 may overlap the seat backs 51 .
- the front area A 1 includes an area A 3 defined between the right and left rear seats 50 (hereinafter this area A 3 will be referred to as the “middle area”).
- the front area A 1 (including the middle area A 3 ) and the rear area A 2 are located at the same height. Therefore, when a rear seat 50 is moved, the front area A 1 and the rear area A 2 can be used effectively. In other words, the structure facilitates easily placing cargo on the cargo bed 40 .
- the height of front area A 1 and the height of rear area A 2 are different.
- the main body frame 20 includes the frame rear portion 20 R connected with arms and a suspension for supporting the rear wheels 3 .
- the cargo bed frame 20 C (see FIG. 4 ) is forced on the upper side of the frame rear portion 20 R.
- a floor panel 43 F (see FIG. 6 ) constituting the cargo bed floor 43 is fixed to the upper side of the cargo bed frame 20 C.
- the floor panel 43 F covers the entire cargo bed frame 20 C.
- the cargo bed frame 20 C is located above the rear wheel 3 in a side view of the vehicle body (see FIG. 1 ).
- the cargo bed frame 20 C includes a plurality of floor support portions 24 extending linearly in the front-rear direction.
- the cargo bed frame 20 C includes a plurality of cross portions 22 B, 22 C, 22 E and 22 D extending in the right-left direction and fixed to the floor support portions 24 .
- these cross portions 22 B, 22 C, 22 E and 22 D will be referred to as “floor cross portions”.
- the plurality of floor cross portions 22 B, 22 C, 22 E, 22 D are fixed on the upper side the floor support portion 24
- the floor panel 43 F is fixed on the floor cross portions 22 B, 22 C, 22 E, 22 D.
- the floor cross portions 22 B, 22 C, 22 E, 22 D are located at the same height.
- the height in an area of the cargo bed floor 43 where the rear seat 50 is disposed and the height in an area of the cargo bed floor 43 behind the area where the rear seat 50 is disposed are the same. That is, the entire cargo bed floor 43 has the same height.
- the floor cross portion 22 B is located at the front end of the cargo bed floor 43 and the floor cross portion 22 C is located at the rear end of the cargo bed floor 43 .
- the floor cross portions 22 E, 22 D are arranged between the floor cross portion 22 B and the floor cross portion 22 C.
- the guide rails 44 of the rear seat 50 are supported, for example, toy the floor cross portion 22 B located at the front end and the floor cross portion 22 D located between the floor cross portions 22 B and 22 C (see FIG. 9 ).
- the floor cross portion 22 B at the front end. extends between the right and left rear vertical portions 21 C of the stain body frame 20 and fixed to the front ends of the floor support portions 24 .
- the cargo bed frame 20 C includes rear end members 21 G fixed to the rear ends of the side wall extending portions 21 D constituting the side wall 41 of the cargo bed 40 and extending in the vertical direction.
- the floor cross portion 22 C at the rear end extends between the right and left rear end members 21 G and is fixed to the rear ends of the floor support portions 24 .
- the structure of the cargo bed frame 20 C is not limited to the example of the vehicle 1 and may be changed.
- the floor support portions extending in the front-rear direction may be fixed on the upper side of the plurality of floor cross portions.
- the floor panel 43 F may be fixed to the floor support portions.
- both end portions 32 c of the cross portion 32 D located at the rear end of the roll cage 30 are connected to the right and left rear vertically extending portions 31 C.
- the cross portion 32 D is formed such that its middle portion 32 a is positioned higher than the end portions 32 c.
- the right and left rear seats 50 are apart from each other in the right-left direction, and the middle area A 3 (see FIG. 7 ) for cargo is secured between the right and left rear seats 50 .
- the middle is secured between the right and left seat bottoms 52 .
- the middle area A 3 located forward of the middle portion 32 a of the cross portion 32 D in a plan view of the vehicle body. Since the middle portion 32 a of the cross portion 32 D is higher than the end portions 32 c, the cross portion 32 D is prevented from being an obstruction when an operator puts cargo onto the middle area A 3 .
- the cross portion 32 D includes lateral portions 32 b located behind the seat backs 51 of the right and left rear seats 50 .
- This allows the seat back 51 to be supported by the lateral portion 32 b.
- the lateral portion 32 b prevents the seat back 51 from being greatly inclined rearward.
- a clearance may be secured between the lateral portion 32 b and the seat back 51 , or alternatively the lateral portion 32 b may be in contact with the seat back 51 .
- the seat back 51 is configured to support the rear side of the head of the rider. That is, as shown in FIG. 2 , the seat back 51 includes a lower portion 51 a that supports the back of a rider and an upper portion 51 b having a smaller width in the right-left direction than the lower portion 51 a (hereinafter, the lower portion 51 a is referred to as a “back rest portion”, and the upper portion Sib is referred to as a “head rest”.).
- the head of the rider can be supported by the head rest 51 b.
- the lateral portion 32 b of the cross portion 32 D is located behind the head rest 51 b of the seat back 51 . Therefore, the lateral portion 32 b of the cross portion 32 D is positioned high, and thus when an operator puts cargo onto the rear side of the rear seat 50 , the cross portion 32 D is prevented from being an obstruction.
- the middle portion 32 a of the cross portion 32 D is located higher than the lateral portions 32 b.
- the middle portion 32 a of the cross portion 32 D is located between the right and left seat backs 51 in the rear view of the vehicle body.
- the middle portion 32 a linearly extends in the right-left direction in a rear view of the vehicle body. This shape of the cross portion 32 D effectively prevents the cross portion 32 D from being an obstacle when putting cargo onto the area between the right and left rear seats 50 .
- the end pert ions 32 c of the cross portion 32 D are positioned higher than the back rest portion 51 a. Therefore, the cross portion 32 D is prevented from being an obstacle when an operator puts cargo onto the rear side of the seat 50 .
- the rear seats 50 are configured to be slidable in a forward direction. Therefore, the cross portion 32 D is prevented from being an obstacle when an operator puts cargo onto an area formed by sliding the rear seats 50 .
- the lateral portion 32 b of the cross portion 32 D linearly extends in the right-left direction in the rear view of the vehicle body. According to this shape of the cross portion 32 D, a force equally acts from the seat back 51 to the lateral portion 32 b and thus the seat back 51 can be stably supported by the lateral portion 32 b.
- the cross portion 32 D in the example of the vehicle 1 includes the lateral portions 32 b linearly extending in the right-left direction and the middle portion 32 a linearly extending in the right-left direction. The end of the lateral portion 32 b is bent up toward the middle portion 32 a.
- the shape and the position of the cross portion 32 D is not limited to the example in the vehicle 1 .
- the lateral portions 32 b and the middle portion 32 a may not extend linearly. That is, the whole of the cross portion 32 D may be curved such that the middle portion 32 a is positioned higher than the end portion 32 c.
- the lateral portion 32 b and the end portion 32 c of the cross portion 32 D may be located behind the back rest portion 51 a.
- the roll cage 30 includes a cross portion 32 E located forward of the cross portion 32 D and lower than the cross portion 32 B.
- both ends 32 e of the cross portion 32 E are connected to the right and left middle vertically extending portion 31 D.
- the cross portion 32 E improves the rigidity of the roll cage 30 .
- the cross portion 32 E is located behind the right and left front seats 4 . More specifically, the cross portion 32 E includes lateral portions 32 f located behind the seat backs 4 a of the right and left front seats 4 .
- the seat back 4 a is supported by the lateral portion 32 f.
- the lateral portion 32 f prevents the seat back 4 a from being reclined greatly. In the normal state in which the rearward force is not applied to the seat back 4 a, a clearance may be made between the lateral portion 32 f and the seat back 4 a, or alternatively the lateral portion 32 f may be in contact with the seat back 4 a.
- the middle portion 32 g, of the cross portion 32 E located behind the front seat 4 is positioned between the right and left front seats 4 in the rear view of the vehicle.
- the middle portion 32 g is located at a different height than the end portions 32 e of the cross portion 32 E.
- the middle portion 32 g is located at a different height than the lateral portions 32 f. This prevents the middle portion 32 g of the cross portion 32 B from being an obstacle to a field of view of a rider sitting on the rear seat 50 .
- the middle portion 32 g is located lower than the lateral portion 32 f.
- the middle portion 32 g of the cross portion 32 E may be located higher than the lateral portion 32 f, similar to the middle portion 32 a of the cross portion 32 D located behind the rear seats 50 .
- the roll cage 30 includes a grab bar 34 located under the cross portion 32 E and connected to the right and left middle vertically extending portions 31 D. A rider sitting on the rear seat 50 may grab the grab bar 34 .
- the middle portion of the grab bar 34 is located under the middle portion 32 g of the cross portion 32 E and is fixed to the middle portion 32 g of the cross portion 32 E. According to this structure, the grab bar 34 can be reinforced by the cross portion 32 E even when a member having a lower rigidity than the cross portion 32 E (for example, a member thinner than the cross portion 32 E) is used as the grab bar 34 .
- the grab bar 34 is located below the lateral portions 32 f of the cross portion 32 E.
- the structure of the grab bar 34 and the cross portion 32 E is not limited to the example above, of the vehicle 1 .
- the grab bar 34 is not necessarily fixed to the cross portion 32 E.
- the roll cage 30 does not necessarily induce the grab bar 34 .
- the main body frame 20 includes the rear vertical portions 21 C (see FIG. 5A ) extending obliquely rearward and upward from the rear portion of the middle portion 21 B of the frame middle portion 20 M.
- the rear vertically extending portion 31 C of the roll cage 30 is located further rearward than the upper portion of the rear vertical portion 21 C of the main body frame 20 .
- the rear vertically extending portion 31 C of the roll cage 30 is located rearward of the front end of the side wall extending portion 21 D constituting the side wall 41 of the cargo bed 40 .
- the arrangement of the rear vertically extending portion 31 C makes the rear vertically extending portion 31 C closer to a vertical orientation as compared with an arrangement in which the rear vertically extending portion 31 C is connected to the rear vertical portion 21 C. As a result, the vertical force tends to act axially on the rear vertically extending portion 31 C.
- the seat back 51 is located forward, away from the rear vertically extending portion 31 C in a side view of the vehicle body.
- the vehicle 1 may be provided with a side guard 12 located on the lateral side of the rear seats 50 .
- the cargo bed frame 20 C protrudes rearward from the frame rear portion 20 R supporting the rear wheels 3 .
- the rear vertically extending portion 31 C of the roll cage 30 is connected to the cargo bed frame 20 C at a position forward of the rear end of the cargo bed frame 20 C.
- the rear vertically extending portion 31 C of the roll cage 30 is connected to the cargo bed frame 20 C at a position forward of the rear end of the floor support portion 24 supporting the cargo bed floor 43 .
- the rear vertically extending portion 31 C and the frame rear portion 20 R are close to each other in the front-rear direction. That increases the strength of the cargo bed frame 20 C with respect to the vertical force acting on the roll cage 30 .
- the rear vertically extending portion 31 C of the roll cage 30 is connected to the cargo bed frame 20 C at a position forward of the rear end of the floor support portion 24 , the rear area A 2 located behind the plane P 1 described above is surly secured in the cargo bed floor 43 .
- the cargo bed frame 20 C includes a cargo bed vertically extending portion 21 E located further forward than the rear end of the floor support portion 24 and extends upward from the side wall extending portion 21 D.
- the rear vertically extending portion 31 C of the roll cage 30 is connected to the cargo bed vertically extending portion 21 E.
- the connecting structure between the cargo bed frame 20 C and the rear vertically extending portion 31 C of the roll cage 30 is not limited to the example of the vehicle 1 .
- the rear vertically extending portion 31 C may be directly connected to the side wall extending portion 21 D.
- the cargo bed frame 20 C includes rear end members 21 G at the rear ends thereof.
- the rear end member 21 G extends in the vertical direction and connects the rear end of the side wall extending portion 21 D, the cargo bed vertically extending portion 21 E, and the floor support portion 24 .
- This structure improves, for example, the strength of the rear portion of the cargo bed frame 20 C.
- the rear end member 21 G is provided with a rear wall support portion 21 H further protruding rearward from the rear end member 21 G.
- the right end and the left ends of the rear wall 42 of the cargo bed 40 are fixed to the rear wall support portions 21 H, respectively. Therefore, the rear wall 42 is located further rearward than the cargo bed vertically extending portion 21 E of the cargo bed frame 20 C or the rear vertically extending portion 31 C of the roll cage 30 . As a result, the capacity of cargo bed 40 can be increased.
- the rear seat 50 is movable to a state in which the rider is allowed to sit on the rear seat 50 and a state in which the rider is not allowed to sit thereon.
- the state in which the rider is allowed to sit on the rear seat 50 is referred to as the “usable state”, and the state in which the rider is not allowed to sit thereon is referred to as the “unusable state”.
- the rear seat 50 is in the “usable state”, as shown in FIG. 6 , the seat bottom is located on the cargo bed floor 43 , the seat surface 52 a of the seat bottom 52 races upward, and the seat back 51 is located in a standing position on the rear side of the seat bottom 52 .
- the “unusable state” means a state in which at least one of the position and the orientation of the seat bottom 52 changes from the position and the orientation thereof In the usable state and the seat back 51 moves forward so that the rider is not allowed to sit on the rear seat 50 .
- the area in which the seat bottom 52 of the rear seat 50 in the usable state is disposed is defined as a seat bottom area A 4 (see FIG. 6 )
- the lower end L of the seat back 51 (in other words, the lower end of the seat frame 53 to be described later) moves to a front portion of the seat bottom area A 4 when the rear seat 56 is in the unusable state (see FIG. 11 ).
- the cargo bed floor 43 is provided with guide rails 44 .
- the guide rails 44 are disposed on the floor panel 43 F constituting the cargo bed floor 43 .
- the guide rails 44 are then fixed to the cargo bed frame 20 C located below the floor panel 43 F by fixing members such as screws or bolts.
- two guide rails 44 are arranged in parallel for each rear seat 50 .
- the rear seat 50 includes the seat frame 53 attached to the guide rails 44 .
- the seat frame 53 is slidable in the front-rear direction along the guide rails 44 (see FIG. 10 ).
- the seat frame 53 includes the guided portions 53 b, 53 c mounted on the guide rail 44 and slidable along the guide rails 44 .
- the guided portion 53 b is located outside the guide rails 44 .
- the seat frame 53 is fixed to the seat back 51 . Therefore, the seat back 51 is allowed to move in the front-rear direction. Specifically, the seat back 51 is allowed to translate .in the front-rear direction. This can increase the capacity of the cargo bed 40 while preventing the vehicle from becoming larger in the front-rear direction. That is, the forward movement of the seat back 51 places the rear seat 50 in the unusable state and enlarges the rear cargo area of the rear seat 50 .
- the seat frame 53 includes a support rod 53 a extending upwardly from the guided portions 53 b, 53 c and fixed to the seat back 51 .
- the support rod 53 a is fixed to the back of the seat back 51 , for example. Further, as shown in FIG. 8 , the support rod 53 a may be connected to the right and left guided portions 53 b and 53 c.
- the structure of the seat frame 53 and the fixing structure between the seat frame 53 and the seat back 51 are not limited to the example shown for the vehicle 1 and may be changed.
- the seat bottom 52 is not fixed to the seat frame 53 and thus is configured to move independently of the seat back 51 .
- the seat bottom 52 is laid on the guide rail 44 when the rear seat 50 is in the usable state (see FIG. 6 ) and is in a standing position when the rear seat 50 is in the unusable state (see FIGS. 8 and 11 ).
- the seat bottom 52 may also be configured to be slidable in the from rear direction together with the seat back 51 .
- the seat frame 53 may be fixed to the seat bottom 52 .
- the seat frame 53 may be fixed to the seat back 51 and the seat bottom 52 may be fixed to the seat back 51 .
- a conventional structure that the rear seat is foldable and the folded seat back is used as the cargo bed floor reduces the freedom in the shape and the site of the seat back.
- the seat back needs to be rectangular, limiting space for a head rest.
- the structure in vehicle 1 in which the forward movement of the seat back 51 expands the capacity of the cargo bed 40 can increase the freedom of the shape and the size of the seat back 51 .
- the seat back 51 includes, in the upper part of the seat back 51 , the head rest 51 b having a smaller width than that of the back rest portion 51 a.
- the seat back 51 is curved such that the edge portions 51 e in the right-left direction are located further forward than the middle portion 51 f.
- the seat frame 53 is fixed, for example, to the back of the middle portion 51 f of the seat back 51 .
- the seat back 51 includes a cushion portion 51 c (see FIG. 7 ) on the front surface thereof.
- the seat frame 53 includes a locking mechanism 54 for fixing the position of the seat frame 53 in the usable state and in the unusable state.
- the position of the seat frame 53 in the usable state is hereinafter referred to as the “rear end position”.
- the position of the seat frame 53 in the unusable state is hereinafter referred, to as the “front end position”.
- a front rod 45 A is located between the front portions of the right and left guide rails 44 and is fixed to the upper side of the cargo bed floor 43 .
- a rear rod 45 B (see FIG. 10 ) is located between the rear portions of the right and left guide rails 44 and is fixed on the upper side of the cargo bed floor 43 .
- the locking mechanism 54 includes a hook that is caught on the rods 45 A and 45 B to fix the position of the seat frame 53 and an operating member for the operator to release the engagement between the hook and the rods 45 A and 45 B.
- the seat frame 53 is fixed to the rear end position shown in FIG. 6 .
- the hook of the lock mechanism 54 is caught on the front rod 45 A, the seat frame 53 is fixed to the front end position shown in FIG. 11 .
- the engagements between the hook and the rods 45 A, and 45 B are released by operating the operating member of the lock mechanism 45 , the seat frame 53 is allowed to slide forward or rearward.
- the seat frame 53 is allowed to be fixed only at these two positions and is not allowed to be fixed at a middle position.
- the structure of the lock mechanism 54 may be changed as long as the seat frame 53 is allowed to be fixed to the rear end position and the front end position.
- the guide rails 44 are fixed to the cargo bed frame 20 C.
- the cargo bed frame 20 C includes the right and left floor support portions 24 and the floor cross portions 22 B and 22 D fixed to the right and left floor support portions 24 .
- the floor cross portion 22 D is spaced away from the floor cross portion 22 B.
- the guide rails 44 extends between the floor cross portions 22 B and 22 D. The front end and the rear end of the guide rails 44 are fixed to the floor cross portions 22 B and 22 D, respectively.
- both ends of the floor cross portion 22 B are respectively connected to the extending portions 21 provided at the right end and the left end of the main body frame 20 .
- both ends of the floor cross portion 22 B are connected to the rear vertical portions 21 C of the main body frame 20 . Accordingly, the floor cross portion 22 B improves the strength for supporting the rear seat 50 .
- both ends of the rear floor cross portion 22 D are not connected to the extending portion 21 of the main body frame 20 .
- both ends of the floor cross portion 22 D may be connected to, for example, side wall extending portions 21 D, each constituting a portion of the extending portion 21 via a bracket extending in the vertical direction.
- the floor support portions 24 extend rearward beyond the floor cross portion 22 D and the rear ends of the guide rails 44 .
- This allows the cargo bed floor 43 to include the rear area A 2 located behind the rear ends of the guide rails 44 .
- the length in the front-rear direction of the area where the guide rails 44 are located is larger than, the length in the front-rear direction of the rear area A 2 .
- FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view taken along a line XII-XII shown in FIG. 7 .
- FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional view taken along a line XIII-XIII shown in FIG. 10 .
- the floor panel 43 F has a plurality of concave portions 43 b and a plurality of convex portions 43 c each extending in the front-rear direction and aligned in the right-left direction (the concave portions 43 b and the convex portions 43 c are not shown in FIG. 7 and FIG. 10 ).
- FIG. 13 the floor panel 43 F has a plurality of concave portions 43 b and a plurality of convex portions 43 c each extending in the front-rear direction and aligned in the right-left direction (the concave portions 43 b and the convex portions 43 c are not shown in FIG. 7 and FIG. 10 ).
- a plurality of ribs 43 d are formed on the lower surface of the floor panel 43 F and aligned in the front-rear direction.
- the concave portions 43 b, the convex portions 43 c, and the ribs 43 d improve the rigidity of the floor panel 43 F.
- the ribs 43 d are formed on the lower side of the convex portions 43 c.
- the guide rails 44 fit into the concave portions 43 b and the convex portions 43 c.
- the guide rail 44 is located inside a concave portion 43 b.
- the guide rail 44 includes a bottom portion 44 a, side walls 44 b, and a flange 44 c,
- the bottom port ion 44 a is fixed to the bottom of the concave portion 43 b.
- the guided portion 53 b of the seat frame 53 is caught in the flange 44 c.
- the shape of the guide rail 44 is not limited to the example in the vehicle 1 .
- the guide rail 44 may be formed so as to cover a convex portion 43 c.
- the cargo bed floor 43 includes the rear area A 3 located behind the rear ends of the guide rails 44 .
- the concave portions 43 b, the convex portions 43 c, and the ribs 43 d are formed in the rear area A 3 . That is, the concave portions 43 b and the convex portions 43 c extend rearward beyond the rear ends of the guide rails 44 .
- the seat bottom 52 in the example of the vehicle 1 is allowed to move independently of the seat back 51 .
- the seat bottom 52 is arranged at the standing position when the rear seat 50 is in the unusable state (see FIG. 8 ). More specifically, the seat bottom 52 is arranged such that its lower surface is substantially vertical. This structure enables the range of movement of the seat back 51 to easily increase in the front-rear direction.
- the area A 4 shown in FIG. 6 is an area where the seat bottom 52 is located when the rear seat 50 is in the usable state (this area A 4 is Hereinafter referred to as the “seat bottom area”).
- the seat bottom area A 4 is a range defined by the front edge 52 c and the rear edge 52 b of the seat bottom 52 .
- the lower end L of the seat back 51 is located further rearward than the seat bottom area A 4 .
- the seat bottom 52 recedes from the seat bottom area A 4 and then the lower end L of the seat back 51 is located in the seat bottom area A 4 .
- the lower end L of the seat back 51 moves to the front half area within, the seat bottom, area A 4 .
- the front half area of the seat bottom area A 4 means an area defined further forward than the center C 1 in the front-rear direction of the seat bottom area A 4 . That is, the lower end L of the seat back 51 moves forward beyond the center C 1 of the seat bottom area A 4 in the front-rear direction.
- a large movable range is secured for the seat back 51 in the example of the vehicle 1 .
- the movable range of the seat back 51 is not limited to the example of the vehicle 1 . That is, the lower end L of the seat back 51 may be located rearward of the center C 1 when the rear seat 50 is in the unusable state.
- the rear ends of the guide rails 44 are located further rearward than the center C 2 in the front-rear direction of the cargo bed floor 43 .
- the lower end L of the seat back 51 is located in an area defined behind the center C 2 of the cargo bed floor 43 .
- the front ends of the guide rails 44 are located further forward than the center C 2 of the cargo bed floor 43 . Therefore, when the rear seat 50 is in the unusable state, the lower end L of the seat back 51 is located in the area ahead of the center C 2 of the cargo bed floor 43 .
- the lower end L of the seat back 51 may be located further forward than the center C 2 of the cargo bed floor 43 even when the rear seat 50 is in the
- the seat bottom 52 and the seat back 51 partially overlap in a side view of the vehicle body.
- the bottom surface of the seat bottom 52 is positioned between the edges 51 e in the right-left direction of the seat back 51 , and at least the front ends of the edges 51 e overlap with the seat bottom 52 (in this description, the “bottom surface” of the seat bottom 52 means a surface that faces downward when the rear seat 50 is in the usable state).
- the edges 51 e of the seat back 51 may be located behind the seat bottom 52 when the rear seat 50 is in the unusable state.
- the seat bottom 52 is arranged at the standing position and the seat surface 52 a of the seat bottom 52 faces forward.
- This orientation of the seat back 51 prevents cargo placed on the cargo bed floor 43 from soiling the seat surface 52 a when the rear seat 50 is in the unusable state.
- the seat back 51 supported by the seat frame 53 is located behind the seat bottom 52 .
- the seat back 51 prevents a large force from being applied to the the seat bottom 52 from cargo placed on the cargo bed floor 43 .
- the seat back 51 prevents a large force from being applied to the support mechanism (a pivot shaft 46 a and brackets 46 A, 46 B connected to the pivot shaft 46 a ) of the seat bottom 52 .
- the seat bottom 52 when the rear seat 50 is in the unusable state, at least a part of the seat bottom 52 is located further forward than the cargo bed floor 43 . More specifically, at least a part of the seat bottom 52 is located further forward than the front edge 43 a of the cargo bed floor 43 .
- the arrangement of the seat bottom 52 effectively utilizes the space secured between the cargo bed 40 and the front seat 4 (this space is for the rider to put his legs). This structure enables the seat back 51 to have a large movable range thereof.
- FIG. 10 In the example of the vehicle 1 , when the rear seat 50 is in the unusable state, the side surface 52 d of the seat bottom 52 is located further forward than the front edge 43 a of the cargo bed floor 43 .
- the side surface 52 d of the seat bottom 52 is located further forward than the bent portion between the rear vertical portion 21 C and the side wall extending portion 21 D of the main body frame 20 . More specifically, when the rear seat 50 is in the unusable state, the entire seat bottom 52 is located further forward than the bent portion between the rear vertical portion 21 C and the side wall extending portion 21 D.
- the seat bottom 52 is allowed to move to the standing position at which the seat bottom 52 is arranged in the unusable state of the rear seat 50 and to a laid position (a position shown in FIG. 6 ) at which the seat bottom 52 is arranged in the usable state of the rear seat 50 .
- the lower surface of the seat bottom 52 is supported by the guide rails 44 when the seat bottom 52 is in the laid position. That is, the lower surface of the seat bottom 52 is in contact with the upper surface of the guide rails 44 .
- This structure does not employ a dedicated member for supporting the seat bottom 52 . Therefore, this structure avoids an increase in the number of components (parts) while increasing the support strength of the seat bottom 52 .
- the seat bottom 52 is supported by a hinge mechanism and thus is movable to the standing position and the laid position around the pivot shaft 46 a of the hinge mechanism.
- the pivot shaft 46 a is supported at the foremost position of the cargo bed frame 20 C.
- the cargo bed frame 20 C in the example of the vehicle 1 includes a floor cross portion 22 B (see FIG. 9 ) located at the foremost position of the cargo bed frame 20 C.
- the pivot shaft 46 a is attached to the floor cross portion 22 B via a bracket 46 A.
- the bracket 46 A is attached to the front surface of the floor cross portion 22 B. This arrangement of the bracket 46 A enables the seat bottom 52 in the standing position to be located closer to the front seat 4 .
- the seat bottom 52 is connected to the pivot shaft 46 a via a bracket 46 B.
- the bracket 46 B is attached to, for example, the bottom surface of the seat bottom 52 .
- the pivot shaft 46 a is located further forward than the front edge 52 c of the seat bottom 52 (see FIG. 6 ). This arrangement enables the seat bottom 52 in the standing position to be located closer to the front seat 4 .
- the position and the support structure of the pivot shaft 46 a is not limited to the example of the vehicle 1 and may be changed.
- the movement of the seat bottom 52 and the orientation and the position of the seat back 51 in the unusable state are hot limited to the example of the vehicle 1 .
- the seat bottom 52 and the seat back 51 may be configured to move integrally in the front-rear direction.
- the seat bottom 52 when the rear seat 50 is in the unusable state, the seat bottom 52 may be placed in the laid position and most of the seat bottom 52 may be located further forward than the front edge 43 a of the cargo bed floor 43 .
- the seat back 51 may he located in the front half area of the seat bottom A 4 .
- the seat bottom 52 when the rear seat 50 is in the unusable state, the seat bottom 52 maybe configured to stand along the side wall 41 of the cargo bed 40 and the seat bottom 52 may be located in the front half area of the seat bottom area A 4 .
- a hinge mechanism that allows movement of the seat bottom 52 may be arranged in the rear portion of the seat bottom 52 .
- the seat bottom 52 may be connected to the seat back 51 via the hinge mechanism.
- the seat bottom 52 rotates so that the rear end of the seat bottom 52 goes under the seat bottom 52 , and the rotation moves the seat bottom 52 to the standing position.
- the seat back 51 and the seat bottom 52 may be integrally moved in the front-rear direction.
- the roll cage 30 includes a cross portion 32 D (see FIG. 5B ) extending between the right and left rear vertically extending portions 31 C.
- the cross portion 32 D is located behind the seat backs 51 to support the seat backs 51 .
- the lateral portions 32 b of the cross portion 32 D are located behind the head rests 51 b, each of which is the upper portion of the seat back 51 , and support the head rests 51 b.
- a clearance may be made between the lateral portion 32 b of the cross portion 32 D and the head rest 51 b, or alternatively the lateral portion 32 b may be in contact with the head rest 51 b.
- the rear seat 50 is provided with a seat belt mechanism.
- the seat belt mechanism includes a retractor 56 b for accommodating a part of the belt to adjust the length of the belt.
- the retractor 56 b is located below the cross portion 32 D and is attached to the rear vertically extending portion 31 C of the roll cage 30 (see FIG. 5B ).
- the seat belt mechanism also includes a guide anchor 56 a for guiding the belt extending out of the retractor 56 b.
- the guide anchor 56 a is attached to the cross portion 32 D.
- the guide anchor 56 a is attached to the end of the cross portion 32 D.
- the belt extends from the retractor 56 b toward the guide anchor 56 a and then extends downward from the guide anchor 56 a.
- Employing the cross portion 32 D as a member for supporting the guide anchor 56 a contributes to a reduction in the number of components (parts).
- the cargo bed floor 43 is provided with buckles 56 d.
- a joint (tongue plate) provided to the belt extending from the guide anchor 56 a is connected to the buckle 56 d.
- the Buckles 56 d are located between the right and left rear seats 50 .
- the end of the buckle 56 d is fixed to the cargo bed frame 20 C, for example.
- the end of the buckle 56 d is fixed to the floor cross portion 22 E bridged over the floor support portions 24 .
- the cargo bed floor 43 has an accommodating portion formed thereon for accommodating the buckles 56 d.
- a recess 43 e is formed in the floor panel 43 F constituting the cargo bed floor 43 and functions as the accommodating portion for accommodating the buckles 56 d.
- a lid 43 f for closing the recess 43 e is attached to the cargo bed floor 43 .
- the upper surface of the lid 43 f is located at the same height as the floor panel 43 F in a state in which the lid 43 f closes the recess 43 e.
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Abstract
Description
- The present application claims priority from U.S. provisional patent application 62/434,419 filed on Dec. 15, 2016, the content of which is hereby incorporated by reference into this application.
- The present specification relates to technologies of four-wheel vehicles.
- Some vehicles frequently used in rough terrain include right and left front seats, right and left rear seats, and a cargo bed located rearward of the right and left rear seats. U.S. Pat. No. 8,353,534 discloses a vehicle including rear seats that can fold in the forward direction. As the rear seat is folded forward, the rear surface of the seat back (rear surface of a portion for supporting the rider's back) of the rear seat becomes the floor of the cargo bed. According to U.S. Pat. No. 8,353,534, folding the rear seats forward increases the capacity of the cargo bed.
- The structure that allows the rear seats to be folded forward as described in U.S. Pat. No. 8,353,534 requires the seat back to be formed in a rectangular shape in order to employ the seat back as the floor of the cargo bed and thus has a significant restriction on the shape of the rear seat.
- An object of the present disclosure is to provide a vehicle that enables the cargo bed to have a sufficient capacity while preventing the vehicle body from increasing in size and securing freedom of the shape of the rear seat.
- (1) An embodiment of a vehicle according to the present disclosure comprises: right and left front wheels; right and left rear wheels; a body frame; right and left front seats mounted on the body frame; a cargo bed located rearward of the right and left front seats; a guide rail disposed on the cargo bed; and a rear seat including a seat frame that is attached on the guide rail and is slidable in a front-rear direction along the guide rail. This embodiment enables the cargo bed to have a sufficient capacity while preventing the vehicle body from increasing in size and securing freedom of the shape of the rear seat.
- (2) In the embodiment described in (1), the rear seat may include a seat bottom positioned at a bottom of the rear seat and a seat back located on a rear side of the seat bottom, and at least the seat back may be fixed to the seat frame and slidable in the front-rear direction.
- (3) In the embodiment described in (2), the seat bottom may be movable independently of the seat back. This structure enables the seat back to have an increased movable range.
- (4) In the embodiment described in (3), the seat bottom may be movable to a laid position at which the seat bottom allows a rider to sit thereon; and the seat bottom may tee movable to a increased movable range.
- (5) In the embodiment described in (4), when the seat bottom is at the standing position, a seat surface of the seat bottom may face forward. This structure prevents cargo placed in the cargo bed from being in contact with the seat surface of the seat bottom.
- (6) In the embodiment described in (1), the rear seat may include a seat bottom positioned at a bottom of the rear seat and a seat back located on a rear side of the seat bottom, and the seat bottom may be located in a space defined forward of the cargo bed in a state where the rear seat does not allow a rider to sit thereon. This structure enables the seat back to have an increased movable range.
- (7) In the embodiment described in (3), the seat bottom may be movable around a pivot shaft so that the seat bottom may be placed in the laid position or the standing position. With this structure, the movement of the seat bottom can be easily made.
- (8) In the embodiment described in (7), the pivot shaft may be located at a front end of the cargo bed. This structure increases the movable range of the seat back.
- (9) In the embodiment described in (3), when the seat bottom is in a laid position allowing a rider to sit thereon, the seat bottom may be located on the guide rail. This structure increases the support strength for the seat bottom.
- (10) In the embodiment described in (2), the seat back may include a back rest portion which is a lower portion of the seat back for supporting a rider's back, and a head rest portion which is an upper portion of the seat back for supporting the rider's head, and both of the head rest portion and the back rest portion may be integrally movable in the front-rear direction along the guide rail.
- (11) In the embodiment described in (1), the rear seat may be movable to a first state in which the rear seat allows a rider to sit thereon and to a second state in which the rear seat does not allow the rider to sit thereon, and when an area in which the seat bottom is located when the rear seat is in the first state is defined as a seat bottom area, at least a part of the seat back may be located in a front part of the seat bottom area in a state where the rear seat is in the second state of the rear seat. This structure enables the cargo bed to have a sufficient area for loading cargo when the rear seat is in the second state.
- (12) in the embodiment described in (1), the rear seat may include a seat bottom position at a bottom of the rear seat and a seat back located on a rear side of the seat bottom, and a cross portion may be located behind the seat back. With this structure, the seat back may be supported by the cross portion when the seat back is in the usable state.
- (13) In the embodiment described in (12), the rear seat may be provided with a seat belt mechanism which includes a belt. A guide anchor that guides the belt is attached to the cross portion. This structure eliminates necessity for a dedicated member that supports the guide anchor.
- (14) In the embodiment described in (1), the rear seat may be provided with a seat belt mechanism including a belt, a joint provided to the belt, and a buckle for the joint to be connected. The cargo bed may have an accommodating portion that accommodates the buckle. This structure prevents the buckle from being an obstacle to cargo placed on the cargo bed.
- (15) In the embodiment described in (14), the accommodating portion may be concave, and the cargo bed may include a lid for closing the accommodating portion. This structure prevents the buckle from being an obstacle to cargo placed on the cargo bed when the rear seat is in the unusable state.
- (16) In the embodiment described in (1), the cargo bed may include a cargo bed floor that has a convex portion and a concave portion, each extending in the front-rear direction, and the guide rail may fit into the concave portion or the convex portion. This structure increases the rigidity of the cargo bed floor. Further, this structure prevents the guide rail from being an obstacle to cargo placed in the cargo bed.
- (17) In the embodiment described in (14), the concave portion and the convex portion extend rearward beyond the guide rail. This structure increases the rigidity of the rear part of the cargo bed.
- (18) The embodiment described in (1) may further comprise a roll cage covering the front seats and the rear seat. The roll cage may include a portion located further rearward than the rear seat.
- (19) In the embodiment described in (18), the cargo bed may include a portion located further rearward than the portion of the roll cage.
- Other objects and features of this invention will be in part apparent and in part point pointed out hereinafter.
- The following drawings illustrate examples of various components of the invention disclosed herein, and are for illustrative purposes only.
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FIG. 1 is a side view showing an example of a vehicle of an embodiment according to the present disclosure. -
FIG. 2 is a rear view of the vehicle. -
FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing the vehicle frame of the vehicle obliquely viewed from the rear of the vehicle. -
FIG. 4 is a side view of the vehicle frame of the vehicle. -
FIG. 5A is a perspective view of a lower frame (main body frame) constituting the vehicle frame. -
FIG. 5B is a perspective view of an upper frame (roll cage) constituting the vehicle frame. -
FIG. 6 is a side view of the rear seat. In this figure the rear seat is in a usable state. -
FIG. 7 is a plan view of the cargo bed provided in the rear portion of the vehicle body. In this figure, the rear seats are in the usable state. -
FIG. 8 is a perspective view showing a structure of the rear seat. In this figure, the seat bottom is arranged in a standing posture. -
FIG. 9 is a plan view of a frame rear portion constituting the rear part of the lower frame. -
FIG. 10 is a plan view of the cargo bed. In this figure, the rear seats are arranged in an unusable state. -
FIG. 11 is a side view of the rear seat. In this figure, the rear seat is in an unusable state. -
FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line XII-XII indicated inFIG. 7 . -
FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line XIII-XIII indicated inFIG. 10 . - While the present invention may be embodied in many different forms, several illustrative embodiments are described herein with the understanding that this disclosure is to be considered as providing examples of the principles of the invention and such examples are not intended to limit the invention to the preferred embodiments described herein and/or illustrated herein.
- Hereinafter, embodiments according to the present invention will be described. The embodiments disclosed in the present specification should be understood as an example of the invention and the invention is not limited to embodiments described in the following description and in the figures. Other embodiments having advantages that is the same as, or similar to, advantages of the present embodiments are included within the scope of the present invention.
- Various techniques and structures are described in this specification. Those may be combined with other techniques and structures described herein. Though the present specification does not describe all possible combinations, any combinations are within the scope of the present invention.
- Unless otherwise defined, all terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one having ordinary skill in the art to which this invention belongs. It will be further understood that terms, such as those defined in commonly used dictionaries, should be interpreted as having a meaning that is consistent with their meaning in the context of the relevant art and the present disclosure and will not be interpreted in an idealized or overly formal sense unless expressly so defined herein. The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular preferred embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of the present invention. As used herein, the term “and/or” includes any and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed items. As used herein, the singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” are intended to include the plural forms as well as the singular forms, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. It will be further understood that the terms “comprises” “comprising” “includes” and “including” when used in this specification, specify the presence of stated features, operations, elements, and/or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, operations, elements, components, and/or groups thereof.
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FIG. 1 is a side view of a vehicle 1 which is an example of the embodiments of the present invention.FIG. 2 is a rear view of the vehicle 1.FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing the vehicle 1 obliquely viewed from the rear.FIG. 4 is a side view of the vehicle frame Fv of the vehicle 1.FIG. 5A is a perspective view of thelower frame 20 constituting a part of the vehicle frame Fv.FIG. 5B is a perspective view of an upper frame (roll cage) 30 constituting a part of the vehicle frame Fv.FIG. 6 is a side view of therear seat 50, andFIG. 7 is a plan view of thecargo bed 40 provided in the rear portion of the vehicle body. InFIGS. 6 and 7 , therear seat 50 is in an “usable state”, described later.FIG. 8 is a perspective view showing a structure of therear seat 50. InFIG. 8 , the seat bottom 52 is arranged at the standing position.FIG. 9 is a plan view of the framerear portion 20R constituting the rear portion of thelower frame 20.FIG. 10 is a plan view of thecargo bed 40, andFIG. 11 is a side view of therear seat 50. InFIGS. 10 and 11 , therear seat 50 is arranged in an “unusable state” described later. - In the following description, the directions indicated by Y1 and Y2 in those figures will be referred to as a “forward direction” and a “rearward direction”, respectively. The directions indicated by Z1 and Z2 are referred to as an “upward direction” and a “downward direction”, respectively. The directions indicated by X1 and X2 are referred to as a “rightward direction” and a “leftward direction”, respectively.
- The vehicle 1 is a vehicle that is suitable for use on rough terrain and is refereed to as an all terrain vehicle (ATV), a “Side-by-Side vehicle”, an “Utility vehicle”, and a “Recreational Off-Highway vehicle”. As shown in
FIG. 3 , the vehicle 1 includes right and leftfront wheels 2 and right and leftrear wheels 3. The vehicle 1 includes right and left front seats 4. A steering wheel 6 for steering thefront wheels 2 is located ahead of the leftfront seat 4 on the left side. The vehicle 1 further includes right and leftrear seats 50 located rearward of thefront seats 4 and acargo bed 40 also located rearward of thefront seats 4. As will be explained in detail later, therear seats 50 in the example of the vehicle 1, are mounted on thecargo bed 40. - An engine unit 7 (see
FIG. 4 ) including an engine and a transmission is disposed in an almost middle portion of the vehicle body in the front-rear direction. The power of theengine unit 7 is transmitted to both thefront wheels 2 and therear wheels 3, or to one of thefront wheels 2 and therear wheels 3 through a drive shaft, (not shown). In the example of the vehicle 1, theengine unit 7 is located between the right and left front seats 4. In the example of the vehicle 1, theengine unit 7 is located ahead of the cargo bed 40 (in other words, therear portion 20R of the vehicle frame Fv to be described later). The arrangement of theengine unit 7 is not limited to the example of the vehicle 1. - The vehicle 1 includes a vehicle frame Fv. As shown in
FIG. 4 , the vehicle frame Fv includes alower frame 20 on which theseats engine unit 7 are mounted. The vehicle frame Fv also includes and anupper frame 30 covering theseats lower frame 20 will be hereinafter referred to as a “main body frame”. Theupper frame 30 will be referred to as a “roll cage”. Themain body frame 20 and theroll cage 30 are separately formed and connected to each other in the vertical direction by fixing means such as welding or bolts. That is, themain body frame 20 includes a plurality of constituent elements (for example, pipes) each of which is integrally made of a metal. Theroll cage 30 includes a plurality of constituent elements (for example, 20 pipes) made of a metal separately from the constituent elements of themain body frame 20. The constituent elements of themain body frame 20 and the constituent elements of theroll cage 30 are connected to each other by fixing means such as welding or bolts. Note that the phrase “theupper frame 30 covers theseats upper frame 30 is positioned above theseats upper frame 30 may not overlap with theseats - As shown in
FIG. 4 , themain body frame 20 includes aframe front portion 20F located between the right and leftfront wheels 2. Theframe front portion 20F supports thefront wheels 2 through a suspension 8 (seeFIG. 1 ) and through arms (not shown) extending in the right-left direction. Themain body frame 20 also includes a framerear portion 20R located between the right and leftrear wheels 3. The framerear portion 20R also supports therear wheels 3 through a suspension (not shown) and through arms (not shown) extending in the right-left direction. A cargo bed frame 20C that is a frame of thecargo bed 40 to be described later is formed on the upper side of the framerear portion 20R. The cargo bed frame 20C protrudes rearward from the framerear portion 20R. Themain body frame 20 includes a framemiddle portion 20M located between theframe front portion 20F and the framerear portion 20R. The framemiddle portion 20M has theengine unit 7 and thefront seats 4 mounted thereon. - As shown in
FIG. 5A , in the example of the vehicle 1, the framemiddle portion 20M includes extendingportions 21 on its right and left portions. The extendingportion 21 includes, in themiddle frame portion 20M, amiddle portion 21B extending in the front-rear direction, a frontvertical portion 21A extending obliquely upward from the front portion of themiddle portion 21B, and a rearvertical portion 21C extending obliquely upward from the rear portion of themiddle portion 21. The extendingportion 21 includes, in the framemiddle portion 20M, a middlevertical portion 21F extending upward from the mid portion of themiddle portion 21B. Additionally, the extendingportion 21 includes a sidewall extending portion 21D extending rearward from an upper portion of the rearvertical portion 21C. The sidewall extending portion 21D constitutes the side wall 41 (seeFIG. 3 ) of thecargo bed 40. Further, the extendingportion 21 has a cargo bed vertically extendingportion 21E extending upward from the sidewall extending portion 21D. Each portion of the extendingportion 21 is formed of a pipe, for example, but it is not necessarily limited thereto. The extendingportion 21 may be an integrally formed member, or the extendingportion 21 may be constituted by plural members (for example, pipes) connected to each other. For example, themiddle portion 21B and the frontvertical portion 21A may be one pipe integrally formed, the rearvertical portion 21C and the sidewall extending portion 21D may be one pipe integrally formed, and the two pipes are connected to each other by fixing means such as such as welding or bolts. - In the example of the vehicle 1, as shown in
FIG. 5A , the framemiddle portion 20M includes a bottom 23 between the right and leftmiddle portions 21B. The bottom 23 includes, for example, abottom panel 23 a,members 23 b extending in the right-left direction and joined to thebottom panel 23 a,members 23 c extending in the front-rear direction and joined to thebottom panel 23 a. The right and leftmiddle portions 21B are joined (for example, welded) to the left and right edges of the bottom 23, respectively. Theengine unit 7 and thefront seat 4 are supported by the bottom 23. Also,plural cross portions portions 21. The structure of themain body frame 20 and the shape of each portion are not limited to the example in the vehicle 1. For example, the bottom 23 of themain body frame 20 does not necessarily include thebottom panel 23 a. - As shown in
FIG. 5B , theroll cage 30 includes right and left front vertically extendingportions 31A, right and left upper extendingportions 31B, right and left rear vertically extendingportions 31C, and right and left middle vertically extendingportions 31D (SeeFIG. 5 ). As shown inFIG. 4 , the front vertically extendingportion 31A is located forward of thefront seat 4 in a side view of the vehicle body and extends in the vertical direction. Specifically, in the example of the vehicle 1, the front vertically extendingportion 31A extends obliquely rearward and upward. The front vertically extendingportion 31A is connected to the frontvertical portion 21A of themain body frame 20 by fixing members such as bolts. The upper extendingportion 31B is located above theseats portion 31C extends downward from the rear portion of the upper extendingportion 31B and is located rearward of at least thefront seat 4. In the example of the vehicle 1, the rear vertically extendingportion 31C is located slightly rearward of therear seat 50. The rear vertically extendingportion 31C may overlap the rear seat 50 (more specifically, the seat back 51 described later) in side view or the vehicle body. The rear vertically extendingportion 31C in the example of the vehicle 1 is arranged in the vertical direction in general, but it may be inclined in a forward or backward direction. The rear vertically extendingportion 31C is connected to the cargo bed vertically extendingportion 21E of the cargo bed frame 20C, for example, by fixing members such as bolts. The right and left rear vertically extendingportions 31C are apart from each other in the right-left direction and thus users can load and unload cargo into thecargo bed 40 through the opening caused between the right and left rear vertically extendingportions 31C. - The middle vertically extending
portion 31D extends downward from a mid portion of the upper extendingportion 31B and is located between the front vertically extendingportion 31A and the rear vertically extendingportion 31C in a side view of the vehicle body. In the example of the vehicle 1, the middle vertically extendingportion 31D overlaps the front seat 4 (more specifically, the seat back 4 a of the front seat 4) in a side view of the vehicle body (seeFIG. 1 ). The middle vertically extendingportion 31D may be located slightly rearward of thefront seat 4. The middle vertically extendingportion 31D is connected to the middlevertical portion 21F of themain body frame 20 by fixing members such as bolts, for example. - As shown in
FIG. 5B , theroll cage 30 also includes a plurality ofcross portions 32A to 32E extending in the right-left direction to connect the right and left extendingportions 31A to 31D. In the example of the vehicle 1, threecross portions portions 31B. Across portion 32D extends between the right and left rear vertically extendingportions 31C. Further, across portion 32E extends between the right and left middle vertically extendingportions 31D. Thecross portions FIG. 1 , aroof 11 is attached to theroll cage 30 to cover theseats 4 and 60. In detail, theroof 11 is attached to, for example, the right and left upper extendingportions 31B and thecross portions portions 31B. Theroof 11 is made of resin, for example. - In the example of the vehicle 1, the
cross portions 32A to 32E are formed separately from, one another, and both ends of eachcross portion 32A to 32E are connected to the extendingportions 31A to 31D by fixing means such as welding or bolt. The connection structure of portions of theroll cage 30 may be changed. For example, the right and left front vertically extendingportions 31A and thefront cross portion 32A may be integrally formed of single pipe-like member. The right and left middle vertically extendingportions 31D and thecentral cross portion 32B may be integrally formed, of single pipe-like member. Further, the right and left rear vertically extending portions and the rear cross portion 32C may be integrally formed of single pipe-like member. - As shown in
FIG. 3 , the vehicle 1 includes acargo bed 40 at the rear portion thereof. Thecargo bed 40 includes a cargo bed floor 43 (seeFIG. 7 ) on which cargo is placed. Thecargo bed 40 also includesside walls 41 located on the right and left sides of thecargo bed floor 43 and arear wall 42 located at the rear edge of thecargo bed floor 43. - The lower portion of the rear vertically extending
portion 31C of theroll cage 30 is connected to the cargo bed frame 20C constituting thecargo bed 40. The cargo bed frame 20C includes the sidewall extending portions 21D and the cargo bed vertically extendingportions 21E described above. As shown inFIGS. 1 and 7 , thecargo bed floor 43 of thecargo bed 40 includes an area A1 extending forward beyond the plane P1 defined by the right and left rear vertically extendingportions 31C (in other words, the plane P1 is defined as a plane parallel to the right-left direction of the vehicle body and passing through the right and left rear vertically extendingportions 31C.). In the example of the vehicle 1, the cargo bed frame 20C includes the cargo bed vertically extendingportion 21E extending upward from the sidewall extending portion 21D to connect to the rear vertically extendingportion 31C of theroll cage 30. The area A1 of thecargo bed floor 43 is located further forward than the connection portion between the sidewall extending portion 21D and the cargo bed vertically extendingportion 21E of the cargo bed frame 20C in a side view of the vehicle body. The connection structure between the cargo bed frame 20C and theroll cage 30 is not limited to the example of the vehicle 1. For example, the lower portion of the rear vertically extendingportion 31C of theroll cage 30 may be directly connected to the sidewall extending portion 21D of the cargo bed frame 20C. - In the example of the vehicle 1, the right and left
rear seats 50 are disposed on thecargo bed floor 43. Therear seat 50 includes a seat bottom 52 (seeFIG. 7 ) located in the lower part of therear seat 50 and including an upper surface for the rider to sit on, and a seat back 51 standing on the rear side of the seat bottom 52 and including a front surface for supporting the back of the rider. The seat bottom 52 is disposed in the area A1 of thecargo bed floor 43 in a plan view of the vehicle body. The front edge of the seat bottom 52 is located along thefront edge 43 a of thecargo bed floor 43 in a plan view of the vehicle body. The front edge of the seat bottom 52 may be located slightly forward of thefront edge 43 a of thecargo bed floor 43, and alternatively may be located slightly rearward of thefront edge 43 a of thecargo bed floor 43. In other words, the entire seat bottom 52 may be located on thecargo bed floor 43, and alternatively only a part of the seat bottom 52 may be located within the area A1 of thecargo bed floor 43. - The
rear seat 50 is configured to be movable so as to expand the capacity of thecargo bed 40. That is, thecargo bed floor 43 includes an area in which the seat bottom 52 is located (an area covered by the seat bottom 52) when therear seat 50 is in its usable state. The seat is configured to recede from at least a part of the area. As will be described later, in the example of the vehicle 1,guide rails 44 extending in the front-rear direction are attached to the area A1 of the cargo bed floor 43 (seeFIG. 10 ). The rear seat 50 (in more detail, the seat back 51) is slidable in the front-rear direction along the guide rails 44. The forward slide of therear seat 50 increases the capacity of thecargo bed 40. The movement mode of therear seat 50 is not limited to the example in the vehicle 1. For example, the seat back 51 of therear seat 50 may be configured to be movable toward theside wall 41 of thecargo bed 40. In other words, the seat back 51 may be turnable toward theside wall 41 of thecargo bed 40. In yet another example, the seat back 51 may be foldable in a forward direction. - As shown in
FIG. 7 , thecargo bed floor 43 includes an area A2 formed behind the area A1. That is, thecargo bed floor 43 includes an area A2 located rearward of the plane PI defined by the rear vertically extendingportions 31C of the roll cage 30 (hereinafter, the area AI is referred to as a “front area” and the area A2 is referred to as a “rear area”). In the example of the vehicle 1, the rear area A2 is located further rearward than thecross portion 32D extending between the right and left rear vertically extendingportions 31C in a plan view of the vehicle body. Also, the rear area A2 is located further rearward than therear seats 50 in a plan view of the vehicle body. Here specifically, the rear area A2 is located further rearward than the rear end (upper end) of the seat backs 51 in the plan view of the vehicle body. Unlike, the example of the vehicle 1, a part of the rear area A2 may overlap the seat backs 51. - As shown in
FIG. 7 , the right and leftrear seats 50 are located apart from each other in the right-left direction. Therefore, the front area A1 includes an area A3 defined between the right and left rear seats 50 (hereinafter this area A3 will be referred to as the “middle area”). - The front area A1 (including the middle area A3) and the rear area A2 are located at the same height. Therefore, when a
rear seat 50 is moved, the front area A1 and the rear area A2 can be used effectively. In other words, the structure facilitates easily placing cargo on thecargo bed 40. The height of front area A1 and the height of rear area A2 are different. - As described above, the
main body frame 20 includes the framerear portion 20R connected with arms and a suspension for supporting therear wheels 3. In the example of the vehicle 1, the cargo bed frame 20C (seeFIG. 4 ) is forced on the upper side of the framerear portion 20R. Afloor panel 43F (seeFIG. 6 ) constituting thecargo bed floor 43 is fixed to the upper side of the cargo bed frame 20C. Thefloor panel 43F covers the entire cargo bed frame 20C. The cargo bed frame 20C is located above therear wheel 3 in a side view of the vehicle body (seeFIG. 1 ). - As shown in
FIG. 5A , in the example of the vehicle 1, the cargo bed frame 20C includes a plurality offloor support portions 24 extending linearly in the front-rear direction. The cargo bed frame 20C includes a plurality ofcross portions floor support portions 24. Hereinafter, thesecross portions floor cross portions floor support portion 24, and thefloor panel 43F is fixed on thefloor cross portions floor cross portions cargo bed floor 43 where therear seat 50 is disposed and the height in an area of thecargo bed floor 43 behind the area where therear seat 50 is disposed are the same. That is, the entirecargo bed floor 43 has the same height. - The
floor cross portion 22B is located at the front end of thecargo bed floor 43 and the floor cross portion 22C is located at the rear end of thecargo bed floor 43. Thefloor cross portions floor cross portion 22B and the floor cross portion 22C. The guide rails 44 of therear seat 50 are supported, for example, toy thefloor cross portion 22B located at the front end and thefloor cross portion 22D located between thefloor cross portions 22B and 22C (seeFIG. 9 ). - As shown in
FIG. 5A , in the example of the vehicle 1, thefloor cross portion 22B at the front end. extends between the right and left rearvertical portions 21C of thestain body frame 20 and fixed to the front ends of thefloor support portions 24. The cargo bed frame 20C includesrear end members 21G fixed to the rear ends of the sidewall extending portions 21D constituting theside wall 41 of thecargo bed 40 and extending in the vertical direction. The floor cross portion 22C at the rear end extends between the right and leftrear end members 21G and is fixed to the rear ends of thefloor support portions 24. The structure of the cargo bed frame 20C is not limited to the example of the vehicle 1 and may be changed. For example, the floor support portions extending in the front-rear direction may be fixed on the upper side of the plurality of floor cross portions. In addition, thefloor panel 43F may be fixed to the floor support portions. - As described above, both
end portions 32 c of thecross portion 32D located at the rear end of theroll cage 30 are connected to the right and left rear vertically extendingportions 31C. As shown inFIG. 2 , thecross portion 32D is formed such that itsmiddle portion 32 a is positioned higher than theend portions 32 c. When an operator puts cargo onto the front area A1 located forward of the plane P1, the structure described above prevents thecross portion 32D from being an obstruction. - As described above, in the example of the vehicle 1, the right and left
rear seats 50 are apart from each other in the right-left direction, and the middle area A3 (seeFIG. 7 ) for cargo is secured between the right and left rear seats 50. In detail, the middle is secured between the right andleft seat bottoms 52. The middle area A3 located forward of themiddle portion 32 a of thecross portion 32D in a plan view of the vehicle body. Since themiddle portion 32 a of thecross portion 32D is higher than theend portions 32 c, thecross portion 32D is prevented from being an obstruction when an operator puts cargo onto the middle area A3. - As shown in
FIG. 2 , in the example of the vehicle 1, thecross portion 32D includeslateral portions 32 b located behind the seat backs 51 of the right and left rear seats 50. This allows the seat back 51 to be supported by thelateral portion 32 b. For example, when a force acts on the seat back 51 in the front-rear direction during running of the vehicle, thelateral portion 32 b prevents the seat back 51 from being greatly inclined rearward. In a normal state in which no backward force is applied to the seat back 51, a clearance may be secured between thelateral portion 32 b and the seat back 51, or alternatively thelateral portion 32 b may be in contact with the seat back 51. - In the example of the vehicle 1, the seat back 51 is configured to support the rear side of the head of the rider. That is, as shown in
FIG. 2 , the seat back 51 includes alower portion 51 a that supports the back of a rider and anupper portion 51 b having a smaller width in the right-left direction than thelower portion 51 a (hereinafter, thelower portion 51 a is referred to as a “back rest portion”, and the upper portion Sib is referred to as a “head rest”.). The head of the rider can be supported by thehead rest 51 b. Thelateral portion 32 b of thecross portion 32D is located behind thehead rest 51 b of the seat back 51. Therefore, thelateral portion 32 b of thecross portion 32D is positioned high, and thus when an operator puts cargo onto the rear side of therear seat 50, thecross portion 32D is prevented from being an obstruction. - As shown in
FIG. 2 , themiddle portion 32 a of thecross portion 32D is located higher than thelateral portions 32 b. Themiddle portion 32 a of thecross portion 32D is located between the right and left seat backs 51 in the rear view of the vehicle body. In the example of the vehicle 1, themiddle portion 32 a linearly extends in the right-left direction in a rear view of the vehicle body. This shape of thecross portion 32D effectively prevents thecross portion 32D from being an obstacle when putting cargo onto the area between the right and left rear seats 50. - As shown in
FIG. 2 , the endpert ions 32 c of thecross portion 32D are positioned higher than theback rest portion 51 a. Therefore, thecross portion 32D is prevented from being an obstacle when an operator puts cargo onto the rear side of theseat 50. As described above, in the example of the vehicle 1, therear seats 50 are configured to be slidable in a forward direction. Therefore, thecross portion 32D is prevented from being an obstacle when an operator puts cargo onto an area formed by sliding therear seats 50. - The
lateral portion 32 b of thecross portion 32D linearly extends in the right-left direction in the rear view of the vehicle body. According to this shape of thecross portion 32D, a force equally acts from the seat back 51 to thelateral portion 32 b and thus the seat back 51 can be stably supported by thelateral portion 32 b. As described here, thecross portion 32D in the example of the vehicle 1 includes thelateral portions 32 b linearly extending in the right-left direction and themiddle portion 32 a linearly extending in the right-left direction. The end of thelateral portion 32 b is bent up toward themiddle portion 32 a. - The shape and the position of the
cross portion 32D is not limited to the example in the vehicle 1. For example, thelateral portions 32 b and themiddle portion 32 a may not extend linearly. That is, the whole of thecross portion 32D may be curved such that themiddle portion 32 a is positioned higher than theend portion 32 c. Also, thelateral portion 32 b and theend portion 32 c of thecross portion 32D may be located behind theback rest portion 51 a. - As shown in
FIG. 5B , theroll cage 30 includes across portion 32E located forward of thecross portion 32D and lower than thecross portion 32B. In the example of the vehicle 1, both ends 32 e of thecross portion 32E are connected to the right and left middle vertically extendingportion 31D. Thecross portion 32E improves the rigidity of theroll cage 30. - As shown in
FIG. 3 , thecross portion 32E is located behind the right and left front seats 4. More specifically, thecross portion 32E includeslateral portions 32 f located behind the seat backs 4 a of the right and left front seats 4. The seat back 4 a is supported by thelateral portion 32 f. For example, when a force acts on the seat back 4 a in the front-rear direction during running of the vehicle, thelateral portion 32 f prevents the seat back 4 a from being reclined greatly. In the normal state in which the rearward force is not applied to the seat back 4 a, a clearance may be made between thelateral portion 32 f and the seat back 4 a, or alternatively thelateral portion 32 f may be in contact with the seat back 4 a. - As shown in
FIG. 2 , themiddle portion 32 g, of thecross portion 32E located behind thefront seat 4, is positioned between the right and leftfront seats 4 in the rear view of the vehicle. Themiddle portion 32 g is located at a different height than theend portions 32 e of thecross portion 32E. In more detail, themiddle portion 32 g is located at a different height than thelateral portions 32 f. This prevents themiddle portion 32 g of thecross portion 32B from being an obstacle to a field of view of a rider sitting on therear seat 50. In the example of the vehicle 1, themiddle portion 32 g is located lower than thelateral portion 32 f. Unlike the example of the vehicle 1, themiddle portion 32 g of thecross portion 32E may be located higher than thelateral portion 32 f, similar to themiddle portion 32 a of thecross portion 32D located behind therear seats 50. - As shown in
FIG. 5B , in the example of the vehicle If theroll cage 30 includes agrab bar 34 located under thecross portion 32E and connected to the right and left middle vertically extendingportions 31D. A rider sitting on therear seat 50 may grab thegrab bar 34. In the example of the vehicle 1, the middle portion of thegrab bar 34 is located under themiddle portion 32 g of thecross portion 32E and is fixed to themiddle portion 32 g of thecross portion 32E. According to this structure, thegrab bar 34 can be reinforced by thecross portion 32E even when a member having a lower rigidity than thecross portion 32E (for example, a member thinner than thecross portion 32E) is used as thegrab bar 34. Thegrab bar 34 is located below thelateral portions 32 f of thecross portion 32E. The structure of thegrab bar 34 and thecross portion 32E is not limited to the example above, of the vehicle 1. In another example, thegrab bar 34 is not necessarily fixed to thecross portion 32E. In yet another example, theroll cage 30 does not necessarily induce thegrab bar 34. - The
main body frame 20 includes the rearvertical portions 21C (seeFIG. 5A ) extending obliquely rearward and upward from the rear portion of themiddle portion 21B of the framemiddle portion 20M. As shown inFIG. 1 , in the example of the vehicle 1, the rear vertically extendingportion 31C of theroll cage 30 is located further rearward than the upper portion of the rearvertical portion 21C of themain body frame 20. In other words, the rear vertically extendingportion 31C of theroll cage 30 is located rearward of the front end of the sidewall extending portion 21D constituting theside wall 41 of thecargo bed 40. The arrangement of the rear vertically extendingportion 31C makes the rear vertically extendingportion 31C closer to a vertical orientation as compared with an arrangement in which the rear vertically extendingportion 31C is connected to the rearvertical portion 21C. As a result, the vertical force tends to act axially on the rear vertically extendingportion 31C. When therear seat 50 is slid forward, the seat back 51 is located forward, away from the rear vertically extendingportion 31C in a side view of the vehicle body. As shown inFIG. 1 , the vehicle 1 may be provided with aside guard 12 located on the lateral side of therear seats 50. - As shown in
FIG. 4 , the cargo bed frame 20C protrudes rearward from the framerear portion 20R supporting therear wheels 3. As shown inFIG. 6 , the rear vertically extendingportion 31C of theroll cage 30 is connected to the cargo bed frame 20C at a position forward of the rear end of the cargo bed frame 20C. In the example of the vehicle 1, the rear vertically extendingportion 31C of theroll cage 30 is connected to the cargo bed frame 20C at a position forward of the rear end of thefloor support portion 24 supporting thecargo bed floor 43. Thus, the rear vertically extendingportion 31C and the framerear portion 20R are close to each other in the front-rear direction. That increases the strength of the cargo bed frame 20C with respect to the vertical force acting on theroll cage 30. Also, since the rear vertically extendingportion 31C of theroll cage 30 is connected to the cargo bed frame 20C at a position forward of the rear end of thefloor support portion 24, the rear area A2 located behind the plane P1 described above is surly secured in thecargo bed floor 43. - In the example of the vehicle 1, the cargo bed frame 20C includes a cargo bed vertically extending
portion 21E located further forward than the rear end of thefloor support portion 24 and extends upward from the sidewall extending portion 21D. The rear vertically extendingportion 31C of theroll cage 30 is connected to the cargo bed vertically extendingportion 21E. The connecting structure between the cargo bed frame 20C and the rear vertically extendingportion 31C of theroll cage 30 is not limited to the example of the vehicle 1. For example, the rear vertically extendingportion 31C may be directly connected to the sidewall extending portion 21D. - As shown in
FIG. 6 , in the example of the vehicle 1, the cargo bed frame 20C includesrear end members 21G at the rear ends thereof. Therear end member 21G extends in the vertical direction and connects the rear end of the sidewall extending portion 21D, the cargo bed vertically extendingportion 21E, and thefloor support portion 24. This structure improves, for example, the strength of the rear portion of the cargo bed frame 20C. As shown inFIG. 6 , therear end member 21G is provided with a rearwall support portion 21H further protruding rearward from therear end member 21G. The right end and the left ends of therear wall 42 of thecargo bed 40 are fixed to the rearwall support portions 21H, respectively. Therefore, therear wall 42 is located further rearward than the cargo bed vertically extendingportion 21E of the cargo bed frame 20C or the rear vertically extendingportion 31C of theroll cage 30. As a result, the capacity ofcargo bed 40 can be increased. - The
rear seat 50 is movable to a state in which the rider is allowed to sit on therear seat 50 and a state in which the rider is not allowed to sit thereon. In the following description, the state in which the rider is allowed to sit on therear seat 50 is referred to as the “usable state”, and the state in which the rider is not allowed to sit thereon is referred to as the “unusable state”. When therear seat 50 is in the “usable state”, as shown inFIG. 6 , the seat bottom is located on thecargo bed floor 43, theseat surface 52 a of the seat bottom 52 races upward, and the seat back 51 is located in a standing position on the rear side of theseat bottom 52. The “unusable state” means a state in which at least one of the position and the orientation of the seat bottom 52 changes from the position and the orientation thereof In the usable state and the seat back 51 moves forward so that the rider is not allowed to sit on therear seat 50. In the example of the vehicle 1, when the area in which theseat bottom 52 of therear seat 50 in the usable state is disposed is defined as a seat bottom area A4 (seeFIG. 6 ) the lower end L of the seat back 51 (in other words, the lower end of theseat frame 53 to be described later) moves to a front portion of the seat bottom area A4 when the rear seat 56 is in the unusable state (seeFIG. 11 ). - As shown in
FIG. 10 , thecargo bed floor 43 is provided with guide rails 44. In the example of the vehicle 1, the guide rails 44 are disposed on thefloor panel 43F constituting thecargo bed floor 43. The guide rails 44 are then fixed to the cargo bed frame 20C located below thefloor panel 43F by fixing members such as screws or bolts. In the example of the vehicle 1, twoguide rails 44 are arranged in parallel for eachrear seat 50. As shown inFIG. 8 , therear seat 50 includes theseat frame 53 attached to the guide rails 44. Theseat frame 53 is slidable in the front-rear direction along the guide rails 44 (seeFIG. 10 ). In the example of the vehicle 1, theseat frame 53 includes the guidedportions guide rail 44 and slidable along the guide rails 44. The guidedportion 53 b is located outside the guide rails 44. - As shown in
FIG. 8 , in the example of the vehicle 1, theseat frame 53 is fixed to the seat back 51. Therefore, the seat back 51 is allowed to move in the front-rear direction. Specifically, the seat back 51 is allowed to translate .in the front-rear direction. This can increase the capacity of thecargo bed 40 while preventing the vehicle from becoming larger in the front-rear direction. That is, the forward movement of the seat back 51 places therear seat 50 in the unusable state and enlarges the rear cargo area of therear seat 50. In the example of the vehicle 1, theseat frame 53 includes asupport rod 53 a extending upwardly from the guidedportions support rod 53 a is fixed to the back of the seat back 51, for example. Further, as shown inFIG. 8 , thesupport rod 53 a may be connected to the right and left guidedportions seat frame 53 and the fixing structure between theseat frame 53 and the seat back 51 are not limited to the example shown for the vehicle 1 and may be changed. - As shown in
FIG. 8 , in the example of the vehicle 1, the seat bottom 52 is not fixed to theseat frame 53 and thus is configured to move independently of the seat back 51. In the example of the vehicle 1, the seat bottom 52 is laid on theguide rail 44 when therear seat 50 is in the usable state (seeFIG. 6 ) and is in a standing position when therear seat 50 is in the unusable state (seeFIGS. 8 and 11 ). Unlike the example of the vehicle 1, the seat bottom 52 may also be configured to be slidable in the from rear direction together with the seat back 51. In this case, theseat frame 53 may be fixed to theseat bottom 52. In yet another example, theseat frame 53 may be fixed to the seat back 51 and the seat bottom 52 may be fixed to the seat back 51. - A conventional structure that the rear seat is foldable and the folded seat back is used as the cargo bed floor reduces the freedom in the shape and the site of the seat back. Specifically, in this structure, the seat back needs to be rectangular, limiting space for a head rest. The structure in vehicle 1 in which the forward movement of the seat back 51 expands the capacity of the
cargo bed 40 can increase the freedom of the shape and the size of the seat back 51. In the example of the vehicle 1, the seat back 51 includes, in the upper part of the seat back 51, thehead rest 51 b having a smaller width than that of theback rest portion 51 a. In addition, the seat back 51 is curved such that theedge portions 51 e in the right-left direction are located further forward than the middle portion 51 f. Theseat frame 53 is fixed, for example, to the back of the middle portion 51 f of the seat back 51. - The seat back 51 includes a
cushion portion 51 c (seeFIG. 7 ) on the front surface thereof. The structure in the vehicle 1 in which the forward movement of the seat back 51 expands the capacity of thecargo bed 40, prevents cargo in thecargo bed floor 43 from soiling the -cushion portion Sic when the seat back SI moves forward as shown inFIG. 10 . - The
seat frame 53 includes alocking mechanism 54 for fixing the position of theseat frame 53 in the usable state and in the unusable state. The position of theseat frame 53 in the usable state is hereinafter referred to as the “rear end position”. The position of theseat frame 53 in the unusable state is hereinafter referred, to as the “front end position”. As shown inFIG. 8 , in the example of the vehicle 1, afront rod 45A is located between the front portions of the right andleft guide rails 44 and is fixed to the upper side of thecargo bed floor 43. Also, arear rod 45B (seeFIG. 10 ) is located between the rear portions of the right andleft guide rails 44 and is fixed on the upper side of thecargo bed floor 43. Thelocking mechanism 54 includes a hook that is caught on therods seat frame 53 and an operating member for the operator to release the engagement between the hook and therods rear rod 45B, theseat frame 53 is fixed to the rear end position shown inFIG. 6 . When the hook of thelock mechanism 54 is caught on thefront rod 45A, theseat frame 53 is fixed to the front end position shown inFIG. 11 . When the engagements between the hook and therods seat frame 53 is allowed to slide forward or rearward. In an example, theseat frame 53 is allowed to be fixed only at these two positions and is not allowed to be fixed at a middle position. The structure of thelock mechanism 54 may be changed as long as theseat frame 53 is allowed to be fixed to the rear end position and the front end position. - As mentioned above, the guide rails 44 are fixed to the cargo bed frame 20C. As shown in
FIG. 9 , the cargo bed frame 20C includes the right and leftfloor support portions 24 and thefloor cross portions floor support portions 24. Thefloor cross portion 22D is spaced away from thefloor cross portion 22B. The guide rails 44 extends between thefloor cross portions floor cross portions - As described above, both ends of the
floor cross portion 22B are respectively connected to the extendingportions 21 provided at the right end and the left end of themain body frame 20. As shown inFIG. 5A , in the example of the vehicle 1, both ends of thefloor cross portion 22B are connected to the rearvertical portions 21C of themain body frame 20. Accordingly, thefloor cross portion 22B improves the strength for supporting therear seat 50. In the example of the vehicle 1, both ends of the rearfloor cross portion 22D are not connected to the extendingportion 21 of themain body frame 20. Alternatively, both ends of thefloor cross portion 22D may be connected to, for example, sidewall extending portions 21D, each constituting a portion of the extendingportion 21 via a bracket extending in the vertical direction. As shown inFIG. 9 , thefloor support portions 24 extend rearward beyond thefloor cross portion 22D and the rear ends of the guide rails 44. This allows thecargo bed floor 43 to include the rear area A2 located behind the rear ends of the guide rails 44. The length in the front-rear direction of the area where the guide rails 44 are located is larger than, the length in the front-rear direction of the rear area A2. -
FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view taken along a line XII-XII shown inFIG. 7 .FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional view taken along a line XIII-XIII shown inFIG. 10 . As shown inFIG. 13 , thefloor panel 43F has a plurality ofconcave portions 43 b and a plurality ofconvex portions 43 c each extending in the front-rear direction and aligned in the right-left direction (theconcave portions 43 b and theconvex portions 43 c are not shown inFIG. 7 andFIG. 10 ). As shown inFIG. 12 , a plurality ofribs 43 d are formed on the lower surface of thefloor panel 43F and aligned in the front-rear direction. Theconcave portions 43 b, theconvex portions 43 c, and theribs 43 d improve the rigidity of thefloor panel 43F. In the example of the vehicle 1, theribs 43 d are formed on the lower side of theconvex portions 43 c. - The guide rails 44 fit into the
concave portions 43 b and theconvex portions 43 c. When therear seat 50 is in the unusable state and cargo is placed behind therear seat 50, this structure prevents the guide rails 44 from interfering with the cargo. In the example of the vehicle 1, as shown inFIG. 13 , theguide rail 44 is located inside aconcave portion 43 b. Theguide rail 44 includes abottom portion 44 a,side walls 44 b, and a flange 44 c, Thebottom port ion 44 a is fixed to the bottom of theconcave portion 43 b. The guidedportion 53 b of theseat frame 53 is caught in the flange 44 c. The shape of theguide rail 44 is not limited to the example in the vehicle 1. For example, theguide rail 44 may be formed so as to cover aconvex portion 43 c. - As described above, the
cargo bed floor 43 includes the rear area A3 located behind the rear ends of the guide rails 44. Theconcave portions 43 b, theconvex portions 43 c, and theribs 43 d are formed in the rear area A3. That is, theconcave portions 43 b and theconvex portions 43 c extend rearward beyond the rear ends of the guide rails 44. - As described above, the seat bottom 52 in the example of the vehicle 1 is allowed to move independently of the seat back 51. In the example of the vehicle 1, the seat bottom 52 is arranged at the standing position when the
rear seat 50 is in the unusable state (seeFIG. 8 ). More specifically, the seat bottom 52 is arranged such that its lower surface is substantially vertical. This structure enables the range of movement of the seat back 51 to easily increase in the front-rear direction. - The area A4 shown in
FIG. 6 is an area where the seat bottom 52 is located when therear seat 50 is in the usable state (this area A4 is Hereinafter referred to as the “seat bottom area”). The seat bottom area A4 is a range defined by thefront edge 52 c and therear edge 52 b of theseat bottom 52. When therear seat 50 is in the usable state, the lower end L of the seat back 51 is located further rearward than the seat bottom area A4. As shown inFIG. 11 , when therear seat 50 is in the unusable state, the seat bottom 52 recedes from the seat bottom area A4 and then the lower end L of the seat back 51 is located in the seat bottom area A4. - In the example of the vehicle 1, as shown in
FIG. 11 , when therear seat 50 is in the unusable state, the lower end L of the seat back 51 moves to the front half area within, the seat bottom, area A4. The front half area of the seat bottom area A4 means an area defined further forward than the center C1 in the front-rear direction of the seat bottom area A4. That is, the lower end L of the seat back 51 moves forward beyond the center C1 of the seat bottom area A4 in the front-rear direction. As described here, a large movable range is secured for the seat back 51 in the example of the vehicle 1. The movable range of the seat back 51 is not limited to the example of the vehicle 1. That is, the lower end L of the seat back 51 may be located rearward of the center C1 when therear seat 50 is in the unusable state. - As shown in
FIG. 10 , in the example of the vehicle 1, the rear ends of the guide rails 44 are located further rearward than the center C2 in the front-rear direction of thecargo bed floor 43. When therear seat 50 is in the usable state, the lower end L of the seat back 51 is located in an area defined behind the center C2 of thecargo bed floor 43. The front ends of the guide rails 44 are located further forward than the center C2 of thecargo bed floor 43. Therefore, when therear seat 50 is in the unusable state, the lower end L of the seat back 51 is located in the area ahead of the center C2 of thecargo bed floor 43. Unlike the vehicle 1, if the length of thecargo bed floor 43 in the front-rear direction is sufficiently large, the lower end L of the seat back 51 may be located further forward than the center C2 of thecargo bed floor 43 even when therear seat 50 is in the - In the example of the vehicle 1, as shown in
FIG. 11 , when therear seat 50 is in the unusable stats, the seat bottom 52 and the seat back 51 partially overlap in a side view of the vehicle body. Specifically, the bottom surface of the seat bottom 52 is positioned between theedges 51 e in the right-left direction of the seat back 51, and at least the front ends of theedges 51 e overlap with the seat bottom 52 (in this description, the “bottom surface” of the seat bottom 52 means a surface that faces downward when therear seat 50 is in the usable state). Unlike the example of the vehicle 1, theedges 51 e of the seat back 51 may be located behind the seat bottom 52 when therear seat 50 is in the unusable state. - In the example of the vehicle 1, when the
rear seat 50 is in the unusable state, the seat bottom 52 is arranged at the standing position and theseat surface 52 a of the seat bottom 52 faces forward. This orientation of the seat back 51 prevents cargo placed on thecargo bed floor 43 from soiling theseat surface 52 a when therear seat 50 is in the unusable state. Also, when therear seat 50 is in the unusable state, the seat back 51 supported by theseat frame 53 is located behind theseat bottom 52. As a result, the seat back 51 prevents a large force from being applied to the the seat bottom 52 from cargo placed on thecargo bed floor 43. More specifically, the seat back 51 prevents a large force from being applied to the support mechanism (apivot shaft 46 a andbrackets pivot shaft 46 a) of theseat bottom 52. - As shown in
FIG. 11 , when therear seat 50 is in the unusable state, at least a part of the seat bottom 52 is located further forward than thecargo bed floor 43. More specifically, at least a part of the seat bottom 52 is located further forward than thefront edge 43 a of thecargo bed floor 43. As a result, when therear seat 50 is in the unusable state, the arrangement of the seat bottom 52 effectively utilizes the space secured between thecargo bed 40 and the front seat 4 (this space is for the rider to put his legs). This structure enables the seat back 51 to have a large movable range thereof. As shown inFIG. 10 . In the example of the vehicle 1, when therear seat 50 is in the unusable state, theside surface 52 d of the seat bottom 52 is located further forward than thefront edge 43 a of thecargo bed floor 43. - As shown in
FIG. 11 , in the example of the vehicle 1, when therear seat 50 is in the unusable state, theside surface 52 d of the seat bottom 52 is located further forward than the bent portion between the rearvertical portion 21C and the sidewall extending portion 21D of themain body frame 20. More specifically, when therear seat 50 is in the unusable state, the entire seat bottom 52 is located further forward than the bent portion between the rearvertical portion 21C and the sidewall extending portion 21D. - As described above, the seat bottom 52 is allowed to move to the standing position at which the seat bottom 52 is arranged in the unusable state of the
rear seat 50 and to a laid position (a position shown inFIG. 6 ) at which the seat bottom 52 is arranged in the usable state of therear seat 50. In the example of the vehicle 1, the lower surface of the seat bottom 52 is supported by the guide rails 44 when the seat bottom 52 is in the laid position. That is, the lower surface of the seat bottom 52 is in contact with the upper surface of the guide rails 44. This structure does not employ a dedicated member for supporting theseat bottom 52. Therefore, this structure avoids an increase in the number of components (parts) while increasing the support strength of theseat bottom 52. - As shown in
FIG. 8 , in the example of the vehicle 1, the seat bottom 52 is supported by a hinge mechanism and thus is movable to the standing position and the laid position around thepivot shaft 46 a of the hinge mechanism. Thepivot shaft 46 a is supported at the foremost position of the cargo bed frame 20C. When the seat bottom 52 is in the standing position, the structure described above enables a large area to be secured behind the seat bottom 52, that is, to be secured for the seat back 51. - As described above, the cargo bed frame 20C in the example of the vehicle 1 includes a
floor cross portion 22B (seeFIG. 9 ) located at the foremost position of the cargo bed frame 20C. As shown inFIG. 6 , thepivot shaft 46 a is attached to thefloor cross portion 22B via abracket 46A. Thebracket 46A is attached to the front surface of thefloor cross portion 22B. This arrangement of thebracket 46A enables the seat bottom 52 in the standing position to be located closer to thefront seat 4. - As shown in
FIG. 8 , the seat bottom 52 is connected to thepivot shaft 46 a via abracket 46B. Thebracket 46B is attached to, for example, the bottom surface of theseat bottom 52. When therear seat 50 is in the usable state, thepivot shaft 46 a is located further forward than thefront edge 52 c of the seat bottom 52 (seeFIG. 6 ). This arrangement enables the seat bottom 52 in the standing position to be located closer to thefront seat 4. The position and the support structure of thepivot shaft 46 a is not limited to the example of the vehicle 1 and may be changed. - The movement of the seat bottom 52 and the orientation and the position of the seat back 51 in the unusable state are hot limited to the example of the vehicle 1. For example, the seat bottom 52 and the seat back 51 may be configured to move integrally in the front-rear direction. In this case, when the
rear seat 50 is in the unusable state, the seat bottom 52 may be placed in the laid position and most of the seat bottom 52 may be located further forward than thefront edge 43 a of thecargo bed floor 43. As a result, the seat back 51 may he located in the front half area of the seat bottom A4. - In yet another example, when the
rear seat 50 is in the unusable state, the seat bottom 52 maybe configured to stand along theside wall 41 of thecargo bed 40 and the seat bottom 52 may be located in the front half area of the seat bottom area A4. - In yet another example, a hinge mechanism that allows movement of the seat bottom 52 may be arranged in the rear portion of the
seat bottom 52. In addition, the seat bottom 52 may be connected to the seat back 51 via the hinge mechanism. In this structure, the seat bottom 52 rotates so that the rear end of the seat bottom 52 goes under the seat bottom 52, and the rotation moves the seat bottom 52 to the standing position. In this case, the seat back 51 and the seat bottom 52 may be integrally moved in the front-rear direction. - As described above, the
roll cage 30 includes across portion 32D (seeFIG. 5B ) extending between the right and left rear vertically extendingportions 31C. As shown inFIG. 2 , when therear seats 50 are in the usable state, thecross portion 32D is located behind the seat backs 51 to support the seat backs 51. In the example of the vehicle 1, when therear seats 50 are in the usable state, thelateral portions 32 b of thecross portion 32D are located behind the head rests 51 b, each of which is the upper portion of the seat back 51, and support the head rests 51 b. When therear seat 50 is in the usable state and no force is applied to the seat back 51 in the rearward direction, a clearance may be made between thelateral portion 32 b of thecross portion 32D and thehead rest 51 b, or alternatively thelateral portion 32 b may be in contact with thehead rest 51 b. - The
rear seat 50 is provided with a seat belt mechanism. As shown inFIG. 3 , the seat belt mechanism includes aretractor 56 b for accommodating a part of the belt to adjust the length of the belt. In the example of the vehicle 1, theretractor 56 b is located below thecross portion 32D and is attached to the rear vertically extendingportion 31C of the roll cage 30 (seeFIG. 5B ). The seat belt mechanism also includes aguide anchor 56 a for guiding the belt extending out of theretractor 56 b. In the example of the vehicle 1, theguide anchor 56 a is attached to thecross portion 32D. Specifically, theguide anchor 56 a is attached to the end of thecross portion 32D. The belt extends from theretractor 56 b toward theguide anchor 56 a and then extends downward from theguide anchor 56 a. Employing thecross portion 32D as a member for supporting theguide anchor 56 a contributes to a reduction in the number of components (parts). - As shown in
FIG. 7 , thecargo bed floor 43 is provided withbuckles 56 d. When using the seat belt mechanism, a joint (tongue plate) provided to the belt extending from theguide anchor 56 a is connected to thebuckle 56 d. TheBuckles 56 d are located between the right and left rear seats 50. As shown inFIG. 5A , the end of thebuckle 56 d is fixed to the cargo bed frame 20C, for example. In the example of the vehicle 1, the end of thebuckle 56 d is fixed to thefloor cross portion 22E bridged over thefloor support portions 24. - The
cargo bed floor 43 has an accommodating portion formed thereon for accommodating thebuckles 56 d. Specifically, as shown inFIG. 12 , arecess 43 e is formed in thefloor panel 43F constituting thecargo bed floor 43 and functions as the accommodating portion for accommodating thebuckles 56 d. Alid 43 f for closing therecess 43 e is attached to thecargo bed floor 43. The upper surface of thelid 43 f is located at the same height as thefloor panel 43F in a state in which thelid 43 f closes therecess 43 e. - The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments. It is obvious to those skilled in the art that there are other embodiments that can obtain similar functions and results. The claims cover the substantially equivalent other embodiments.
Claims (19)
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US10202151B1 (en) * | 2018-03-22 | 2019-02-12 | Kawasaki Jukogyo Kabushiki Kaisha | Side-by-side vehicle |
US10384726B1 (en) | 2018-03-22 | 2019-08-20 | Kawasaki Jukogyo Kabushiki Kaisha | Side-by-side vehicle |
US20200171978A1 (en) * | 2018-12-04 | 2020-06-04 | Lear Corporation | Vehicle seating system |
US11305678B2 (en) * | 2020-08-20 | 2022-04-19 | Aguti Produktentwicklung & Design Gmbh | Belt mount for a vehicle seat or a vehicle bench seat and vehicle seat arrangement |
US20230101545A1 (en) * | 2021-09-24 | 2023-03-30 | Honda Motor Co., Ltd. | Seat connection structure |
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US20200290488A1 (en) | 2020-09-17 |
US11685296B2 (en) | 2023-06-27 |
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