Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to a utility vehicle having a pivotable seat connected by a hinge to a fixed platform. The pivotable seat configured to pivot between a first position and a second position defining a standard seat location and a first wall of a cargo bay, respectively. A seatback is configured to form a second wall of a cargo bay when the pivotable seat is in the second position. First and second opposing side walls are positioned on either side of the pivotable seat. The side walls are configured to form barriers at either side of the cargo bay when the pivotable seat is in the second position.

Abstract: A utility vehicle that includes a vehicle control system having one or more real time clocks (RTC). The RTC can be embedded in the vehicle control system, or in components or subsystems of the vehicle control system, and can be either dedicated electronics or software based. Information provided by the RTC can be used to synchronize components and subsystems of the vehicle control system. Further, such inclusion of the RTC can enable the vehicle control system to initiate a number of time based functions, including, for example, time based functions relating to battery charging, wake-up and shut down of components, status reporting, periodic vehicle level events and maintenance, and management of time based operation or use of the utility vehicle or components thereof, including vehicle cameras.

Abstract: A latch mechanism for releasably securing a hinged gate to one or more latches. The latch mechanism includes a handle that is pivotally connected to a gate wall. The handle includes at least one retention arm that lockingly engages a latch when the hinged gate is in a latched position. According to certain embodiments, the handle includes a retention arm at both ends of the handle, with the handle extending generally along the length of the gate wall. Further, the handle may be pivotally displaced about the retention arm(s) so that the handle is displaced from the first position to a second position. As the handle is pivotally displaced to the second position, a release mechanism of the handle may engage and pivotally displace the adjacent latch so that the retention arm may be released from the locking engagement with the latch.

Abstract: A utility cart includes a stored energy device that can be in the form of a Lithium Ion battery pack. The battery pack can include a main power output useful to drive high voltage components as well as the electric motor for motive power. The battery pack can also include one or more auxiliary outputs useful to provide auxiliary power to various other components. The auxiliary outputs can be either low and/or high voltage outputs. An auxiliary DC/DC output can be used to step down high voltage of the Lithium ion battery pack to lower voltages. A motor controller supply can also be provided as an auxiliary output to provide some power to a motor controller.

Abstract: A utility vehicle that includes a vehicle control system having one or more real time clocks (RTC). The RTC can be embedded in the vehicle control system, or in components or subsystems of the vehicle control system, and can be either dedicated electronics or software based. Information provided by the RTC can be used to synchronize components and subsystems of the vehicle control system. Further, such inclusion of the RTC can enable the vehicle control system to initiate a number of time based functions, including, for example, time based functions relating to battery charging, wake-up and shut down of components, status reporting, periodic vehicle level events and maintenance, and management of time based operation or use of the utility vehicle or components thereof, including vehicle cameras.

Abstract: A park brake system for adjusting a tension in a brake cable that is coupled to a park brake. The park brake system can include a driver that is communicatively coupled to a microcontroller, and an actuator that is rotatably displaceable by operation of the driver. An equalizer assembly can be linearly displaced along the rotating actuator to adjust a tension in the brake cable. The microcontroller can monitor a current being drawn by the driver as the driver is operated, and generate instructions to cease operation of the driver upon the current reaching a predetermined current threshold that corresponds a maximum force that is to be applied by the park brake. The microcontroller can also, when the park brake is being released from a set position, count pulses outputted by an encoder in connection with determining whether the park brake has reached a running clearance position.

Abstract: An exemplary shift lever includes a mounting assembly, a flexible member coupled to the mounting assembly, and an interface coupled to the flexible member. The flexible member is resilient so as to provide a selected biasing force at a predetermined deformation angle, and flexible enough to elastically deform across a selected angular range. The mounting assembly is configured for connection with the input shaft of a transmission, and the interface is configured for connection with an output of a drive selector.

Abstract: A battery charger detection system is provided. The battery charger detection system includes a battery charger, an indicator, and a controller. The controller detects an initial electrical coupling of the battery charger to a battery and measures a first voltage of the battery upon the electrical coupling. The controller further measures a second voltage of the battery and actuates the indicator in response to both a continued electrical coupling between the battery charger and the battery and the second voltage being less than or equal to the first voltage after a predetermined length of time.

Abstract: A utility vehicle includes an electric motor constructed to provide motive power to the utility vehicle; a lithium ion battery pack coupled to the electric motor at a first voltage and operative to provide electrical power at the first voltage to the electric motor for driving the utility vehicle, the lithium ion battery pack including a DC/DC converter constructed to output electrical power at a second voltage; and a vehicle control module (VCM) coupled to the DC/DC converter, constructed to operate at the second voltage and constructed to control at least some operations of the utility vehicle.

Abstract: An accessory holder is provided for golf cars to store accessories like golf balls in an easy to access location from outside of the golf car. For example, the accessory holder may be mounted on a vertical strut supporting the canopy of the golf car. The accessory holder wraps around the strut and has gaps that allow the accessory holder to be mounted onto the strut.

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to a utility vehicle having a pivotable seat connected by a hinge to a fixed platform. The pivotable seat configured to pivot between a first position and a second position defining a standard seat location and a first wall of a cargo bay, respectively. A seatback is configured to form a second wall of a cargo bay when the pivotable seat is in the second position. First and second opposing side walls are positioned on either side of the pivotable seat. The side walls are configured to form barriers at either side of the cargo bay when the pivotable seat is in the second position.

Abstract: A utility cart includes a suspension having an integral suspension bracket having an attachment point for a lateral suspension link, holes through which U-bolts are passed to secure an axle of the utility cart to the bracket, and can include an opening into which a spring pin (e.g. a pin of a leaf spring) can be inserted. The suspension bracket can alternatively include a brake cable attachment feature. The suspension bracket can be cut from sheet stock of material, and stamped into final or near final form. In one embodiment a threaded nut can be attached to the attachment point for the lateral suspension link.

Abstract: A latch mechanism for releasably securing a hinged gate to one or more latches. The latch mechanism includes a handle that is pivotally connected to a gate wall. The handle includes at least one retention arm that lockingly engages a latch when the hinged gate is in a latched position. According to certain embodiments, the handle includes a retention arm at both ends of the handle, with the handle extending generally along the length of the gate wall. Further, the handle may be pivotally displaced about the retention arm(s) so that the handle is displaced from the first position to a second position. As the handle is pivotally displaced to the second position, a release mechanism of the handle may engage and pivotally displace the adjacent latch so that the retention arm may be released from the locking engagement with the latch.

Abstract: A bracket for attaching an accessory to a strut on a personal utility vehicle includes first and second bracket members. A slot is formed in the first end of the first bracket member and an insert is formed adjacent a first end of the second bracket member. The insert and slot are configured to lockingly connect the first ends of the first and second bracket members together. First and second flanges extending from the second end of the first and second bracket members, respectively are configured to be fastened together and clamp the bracket about an outer perimeter wall of the strut after the insert is engaged with the slot.

Abstract: An auditory optimization system that provides a plurality of acoustic arrangements that can specify a plurality of acoustic parameters implementable by respective acoustic control systems of one or more vehicles. The acoustic parameters can be implemented by a controller of the vehicle(s) to control an audio characteristic of a sound emitted through the speaker(s) of the vehicle, such as a volume range, based on the acoustic category associated with the sound. Operation of the system can include the selection of one of the plurality of acoustic arrangements, as well as a selection of the vehicle(s) to receive the acoustic parameter(s) associated with the selected acoustic arrangement. The acoustic parameters of the selected acoustic arrangement can be transmitted via a telematics network to a controller of the identified vehicle(s), which can implement the transmitted acoustic parameters.