Side panel for a recreational vehicle

Abstract

A side panel for a recreational vehicle, such as a snowmobile is disclosed. The side panel extends from the windshield portion of the snowmobile to the pan portion. The side panel is hingedly attached at a front edge to the snowmobile so that the side panel opens outwardly along vertically oriented hinges. The side panel includes a windshield to protect the operator's legs. The side panel also includes an airbox which provides an air charge to the engine for combustion. In addition, an airbox, divisible into two parts is also disclosed. The airbox includes a portion adapted to be attached to the interior of the side panel or to a belt guard. A second portion of the air box can be disposed within the engine compartment.

Description

[0001] This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09 / 877,190, filed on Jun. 11, 2001, which claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application 60 / 282,187, filed on Apr. 9, 2001, both are incorporated herein by reference. This application also incorporates by reference U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09 / 472,134, filed on Dec. 23, 1999, U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60 / 167,614, filed on Nov. 26, 1999, and Canadian Patent Application No. 2,256,954, filed on Dec. 23, 1998.FIELD OF THE INVENTION [0002] The present invention concerns the overall design and applicability of a side-enclosing panel for a recreational vehicle. More particularly, the present invention relates to a side panel for vehicles such as snowmobiles where, among other features, the panel is outwardly movable along a substantially vertical hinge (or pivot) due to its mounting characteristics and positioning. Furthermore, the design of the side panel is enhanced through multi...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0021] The present invention improves upon conventional snowmobile side panel design by providing opening mechanisms that results in greater accessibility to the interior components of the snowmobile.

[0022] The present invention also improves upon conventional side panel designs by providing unique aerodynamic characteristics.

Problems solved by technology

One problem with the design of prior art snowmobiles is that access to the engine 708 is sometimes limited by the construction of the hood 724 and the pan 726, which may impede access to certain engine components.

However, these side panels typically have been of a small size and, as a result, the regions of the engine capable of being accessed through these panels have been limited due to the small openings created when the side panels are opened.

Due to space restrictions, opening a side panel along a horizontal axis does not permit use of a larger side panel design.

In particular, if large side panels are opened outwardly and downwardly along a horizontal axis, such panels create a barrier restricting the operator from examining a position in the middle of the opening, because the panel itself becomes an obstacle when it is rotated downwardly from the side of the snowmobile.

When compared to a conventional vehicle such as that shown in FIG. 7, the available space for an airbox between the engine and the fuel tank is reduced such that an airbox small enough to fit in such a space would not have a sufficient air volume for the engine to function properly.

In addition, the Prowler's side panels fail to provide any further significant advantage(s) outside that of covering an opening into the interior of the snowmobile.

The Prowler's side panels also lack any significant aerodynamic qualities or traits that deflect airflow (or wind) away from the legs of the operator.

Like Artic Cat's side panels, the Phazer's side panels lack any aerodynamic (or other) features that deflect air away from the legs of the operator.

The semi-rectangular panels also fail to provide a structure suitable for supporting the legs of the driver.

Additionally, the side panels do not provide a position to which the airbox may be attached.

The side panels of the Phazer, therefore, lack any role outside that of providing access to the interior of the vehicle.

Side panels that are currently available for snowmobile construction fall short of providing a suitably larger opening to permit easy access the engine.

Additionally, side panels that are currently available lack any structural function outside that of providing access to the snowmobile's engine.

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