Abstract: A golf car (10) or utility vehicle having a composite body (58). In some aspects of the invention, the golf car or utility vehicle has a composite body assembly that includes a front clam shell assembly (62) and a rear shell-like body (64). In other aspects, the golf car or utility vehicle includes a composite body assembly having a periphery (118) and one or more decorative body panels (106, 108), the decorative body panels being recessed inwardly relative to the composite body assembly periphery to prevent impacts to the panels.

Abstract: A system for supplying fluid to a battery, a vacuum source, a vehicle, a combination, a method for supplying fluid to a battery and a method of charging a battery. The fluid supply system supplies fluid to a battery in a vehicle, the vehicle including a frame supporting the battery, the battery including a battery cell, fluid being transmittable to the battery cell. The system is defined as including a hydraulic circuit connecting the battery to a tank. The hydraulic circuit is defined as including an inlet conduit connectable to tank, an outlet conduit connectable to the battery cell, and a vacuum source connectable to the battery cell and to the tank. The vacuum source is defined as including a pump having a pump inlet conduit connectable to the tank, and a pump outlet, and a venturi having a first inlet connectable to the pump outlet, a second inlet connectable to the battery cell, and a venturi outlet is connectable to the tank.

Abstract: An actuator is for a vehicle engine including a carburetor having a throttle plate moveable between a minimum open position and a maximum open position. The actuator includes an input member movably coupled with the vehicle so as to be displaceable between an initial position and a maximum displaced position. A flexible connector has a first end connected with the input member and a second end connected with the throttle plate such that movement of the input member displaces the connector to move the throttle plate between the minimum and maximum positions. A guide is configured to direct movement of the connector such that a rate of displacement of the throttle plate is varied as the input member moves between the initial and maximum positions. Preferably, the guide includes two curved guide members engageable with the connector to take up a portion thereof at an intermediate input member position.

Abstract: An accessory mounting system is for attaching at least first and second accessories to a vehicle. A first bracket is configured to connectably receive the first accessory and a second bracket is configured to connectably receive the second accessory. The second bracket has a configuration substantially different than the first bracket. A mount is coupled with the vehicle and is configured to connectably receive the first bracket to attach the first accessory to the vehicle and to alternatively connectably receive the second bracket to attach the second accessory to the vehicle. The mount preferably includes a base coupled with the vehicle and at least one and preferably two apertures extending into the base, each configured to receive a fastener coupled with the accessory. A slotted opening extends into the base, is spaced below the apertures, and configured to receive a portion of either an accessory or a bracket connected therewith.

Abstract: An adjustable control arm is for a suspension of a vehicle having a frame and at least one wheel. The control arm includes a first arm section connected with the frame and a second arm section connected with the wheel and coupled with the first arm section such that the second section is releasably fixable to the first section and alternatively slidably displaceable with respect to the first section so as to adjust camber of the wheel, the first and second arm sections remaining generally coupled together during displacement of the second section. Preferably, the first arm section has a cavity and the second arm section has an engagement portion disposed within the cavity, the engagement portion being fixedly connectable to the first arm section to releasably connect the two arm sections and alternatively displaceable within the cavity.

Abstract: A power train for a vehicle includes a gearbox with an input shaft and an output shaft and is configured such that the input shaft drives the output shaft at a single speed ratio in a first direction and a single speed ratio in a second direction. The output shaft is coupleable with the front and rear vehicle axles to separately drive each axle. Further, a continuously variable transmission is connected with an engine shaft and with the gearbox input shaft such that the engine shaft drives the input shaft within a range of speed ratios from less than 1 to greater than 3. Front and rear differentials are coupled with each axle and with the output shaft and drive the axles at different speed ratios such that a base surface drives the front axle independently of the front differential when at least one rear wheel rolls upon the surface.

Abstract: An actuator is for a vehicle engine including a carburetor having a throttle plate moveable between a minimum open position and a maximum open position. The actuator includes an input member movably coupled with the vehicle so as to be displaceable between an initial position and a maximum displaced position. A flexible connector has a first end connected with the input member and a second end connected with the throttle plate such that movement of the input member displaces the connector to move the throttle plate between the minimum and maximum positions. A guide is configured to direct movement of the connector such that a rate of displacement of the throttle plate is varied as the input member moves between the initial and maximum positions. Preferably, the guide includes two curved guide members engageable with the connector to take up a portion thereof at an intermediate input member position.

Abstract: A speed control system is for a vehicle having an engine including a carburetor with a throttle plate moveable between a minimum open position and a maximum open position. The speed control system includes a ground speed limiter mechanism operatively coupled with the throttle plate and configured to displace the plate toward the minimum position as ground speed of the vehicle approaches a predetermined maximum value. An engine speed limiter mechanism is operatively coupled with the throttle plate and is configured to displace the plate toward the minimum position as a speed of the engine approaches a predetermined maximum value. Preferably, a control linkage is connected with the throttle plate and is moveable between a first configuration, at which the throttle plate is disposed at the minimum position, and a second configuration at which the throttle plate is disposed at the maximum position, the two limiter mechanisms displacing the linkage.

Abstract: A control circuit for a motor including a contactor circuit having a contactor, a first end and a second end, and a snubber circuit connected across the contactor circuit. The snubber circuit includes a first port electrically connected to the first end of the contactor circuit, a second port electrically connected to the second end of the contactor circuit, a first sub-circuit electrically connected to one of the first and second ports, and a second a second sub-circuit electrically connected in series with the first sub-circuit and to the other of the first and second ports. The first sub-circuit includes a resistor and a first non-linear device electrically connected in parallel branches, and the second sub circuit includes an energy storage device and a second non-linear device electrically connected in parallel branches.

Abstract: A system for supplying fluid to a battery, a vehicle and a method for supplying fluid to a battery. The fluid supply system supplies fluid to a battery in a vehicle selectively powered by the battery, the vehicle including a frame supporting the battery, the battery including a battery cell, fluid being transmittable to the cell, gas generated during charging of the battery being transmittable out of the cell. The system is defined as including a tank for holding fluid, and a hydraulic circuit connecting the battery to the tank. The hydraulic circuit is defined as including an inlet conduit connectable between the tank and the cell, and an outlet conduit connectable between the cell and the tank, gas produced during charging causing fluid flow through the outlet conduit and to the tank. In the fluid supply system of the present invention, the gas produced during charging causes fluid flow through the system.