Abstract: A steering column assembly attached to a frame of a vehicle includes a base rigidly attached to the frame. A bracket may be attached to the base. A steering column may be rigidly attached to the bracket. The bracket may attach to the base in a plurality of orientations. At least one angle may be defined in a first orientation between the steering column and the base. A correspondingly measured second angle may be defined in a second orientation between the steering column and the base. The first angle is distinct from the second angle.

Abstract: A convertible cargo bed assembly for a utility vehicle is provided. The assembly includes a single piece molded main body having a pair of integrally formed hip restraints that each include a passenger hand hold integrally formed within the respective hip restraint. The assembly additionally includes a molded pivoting panel that has a cargo deck side and a seat side. The cargo deck side functions as a portion of a cargo deck when the pivoting panel is in a deployed position. The seat side has at least one full-sized seat cushion coupled thereto. That is the full-sized seat cushion is approximately the same size as the forward facing driver's and passenger's seats. Therefore, when the pivoting panel is transitioned from the deployed position to a stowed position, wherein the convertible cargo bed provides a full-sized rear facing seat.

Abstract: Aspects of the present invention are directed to the use of optical gain structures that include alternating layers of gain medium and transparent heat conductors in which the gain medium itself functions as a correction optic. The gain medium changes to an optimum or desired shape because of the thermal changes occurring as the materials of the optical gain structure(s) reach a desired optical output condition. At the desired optical output conditions, the gain medium conforms to a desired shape. The desired shape may be, for example, that of an optical surface of a transparent heat conductor. By designing the initial shape of the gain medium such that the physical contact with the transparent heat conductor is maximized at the desired optical output conditions, conductive heat transfer between the gain medium and heat conductor(s) is maximized at the desired optical output condition.

Abstract: According to the present disclosure, a raised projection or extrusion on a component of a small utility vehicle can be used to secure other components of the vehicle together. The extrusion can receive a fastener therein to hold the components together. The extrusion can be relatively rigid and engage directly with the fastener or indirectly with the fastener through other relatively rigid members, such as a washer. The extrusion can limit the compressive load imparted by the fastener on the other components. The engagement between the fastener and the extrusion can maintain the clamping load imparted between the fastener and the extrusion regardless of creeping of one or more components being secured by the fastener and extrusion.

Abstract: An instrument panel support assembly can be removably attached to a small utility vehicle frame. The instrument panel support assembly can include multiple attachment features that enable a front suspension system to be coupled to the frame in different orientations. The frame can include alignment features that facilitate the alignment of the instrument panel support assembly on the frame for attachment thereto.

Abstract: A vehicle is provided including a vehicle structure, a seat back, and a support member. The support member can include a piece of metal tubing. The piece of metal tubing can have a plurality of engagement portions. A first engagement portion can be coupled to the vehicle structure. A second said engagement portion can be coupled to the seat back. A third engagement portion can be coupled to a sweater basket, and a fourth engagement portion can be coupled to a rear canopy support strut.

Abstract: A gimbal for a gimbaled mirror optical sensor system includes a mirror support rotatable about a first axis along which an optical sensor suite lies, the first axis being spaced apart from a desired pivot point of a variable line of sight, which may be for example a fixed-size window in the outer wall of an aircraft. The gimbal further includes two generally planar mirrors supported by and rotatable with the mirror support. A first mirror is spaced apart from the optical sensor suite along the first axis and is non-orthogonal to the first axis so as to reflect light from a second axis to the optical sensor suite, wherein the second axis sweeps an arcuate path about the first axis upon rotation of the mirror support. A second mirror lies along the second axis so as to follow the arcuate path upon rotation of the mirror support. The second mirror is pivotable so as to reflect light from the variable line of sight to the first mirror along the second axis.

Abstract: A retractable canopy system for a light-weight utility vehicle is provided. The system comprises a mounting frame that includes a pair of legs. An upper portion of each leg can be frictionally retained between a pair of corresponding vehicle roof support side struts. Distal ends of each mounting frame leg can be fixedly connected to a fixed structure of the vehicle. At least one deployment frame can be pivotally connected to the mounting frame legs and a canopy can be attached to the mounting frame and the deployment frame. Thus, the canopy can be transitioned between a stowed position and a deployed position by moving the deployment frame.

Abstract: A lightweight utility vehicle brake lighting system comprising a brake pedal position sensor, a controller and a brake light circuit. The brake pedal position sensor senses the position, e.g., amount of depression, of a vehicle brake pedal. The controller of interprets a brake pedal position signal from the brake pedal position sensor to determine the position of the brake pedal. When the controller determines that the brake pedal has been depressed to initiate a braking operation of the vehicle, the controller transmits a brake light signal to an electronic switching device, such as a relay switch, of the brake light circuit. Upon receipt of the brake light signal, the electronic switching closes to complete, or close, the brake light circuit to enable a current flow through the brake light circuit, thereby illuminating at least one brake light of the vehicle.

Abstract: A protection system for at least one electrical component of a light-weight utility vehicle is provided. The system comprises a hood having a top panel and a side panel. The top panel can be connected to an interior side of at least one wall of a vehicle body structure. The side panel extends substantially perpendicularly from an edge of the top panel and can be connected to a top side of a vehicle floor structure.

Abstract: A governor system for limiting the ground speed of a vehicle and maintaining an idle speed of the engine. The governor system includes a first feedback shaft operably coupled with a transmission of the vehicle to provide a first feedback torque in response to a ground speed of the vehicle. A second feedback shaft is operably coupled with the engine to provide a second feedback torque in response to a revolutionary speed (RPM) of the engine. A ground speed governor system is coupled between the first feedback shaft and the throttle system of the engine for limiting operation of the throttle system in response to the first feedback torque, thereby limiting ground speed. An idle speed governor system is coupled between the second feedback shaft and the throttle system of the engine for actuating the throttle system in response to the second feedback torque, thereby maintaining a desired idle speed.

Abstract: A golf car suspension system includes a coil-over-shock strut assembly having a shock absorber cylinder and an offset bracket including a semicircular member and bracket legs extending from the semicircular member angularly offset from the semicircular member. The semicircular member engages the shock absorber cylinder. A spacer bracket has a semicircular portion engaging the shock absorber cylinder and opposed sleeve legs received between the bracket legs. A U-shaped knuckle bracket has a web and opposed flanges extending transversely from the web. The bracket legs and the sleeve legs are fixed to the web of the knuckle bracket. A steering knuckle connects to the knuckle bracket flanges. A wheel hub connects to the steering knuckle. A wheel connected to the wheel hub has a side-to-side tread face remaining in contact with a ground surface over a total travel distance of the strut assembly of up to 8.4 cm.

Abstract: A small utility vehicle frame can have prevailing torque nuts welded thereto. The frame utilizes attachment features having the prevailing torque nuts welded thereto. The prevailing torque nuts allow the coupling of components of the small utility vehicle to the structural members of the frame. The prevailing torque nuts develop a locking action with the fasteners, thereby preventing the inadvertent removal or loosening of the fastener.

Abstract: A battery hold-down assembly is provided including a retaining member and a fastener member. The retaining member can have a body with first and second surfaces generally connected by a sidewall. The second surface can include a dividing member generally extending therefrom. The dividing member can have a width generally less than the width of the second surface. The second surface can be configured to abut a top of a battery and the divider can be configured to extend between adjacent batteries. The retaining member can include at least one aperture passing therethrough. The fastener member can have a first end passing through the aperture at the first surface and a second end passing through the aperture at the second surface.

Abstract: A mono-leaf spring for a golf car includes a homogenous body. The homogenous body includes: a substantially planar portion; a first bend portion extending from the planar portion to a first distal end, the first bend portion having a first length; and a second bend portion oppositely extending from the planar portion with respect to the first bend portion to a second distal end, the second bend portion having a second length. A wall thickness of each of the first and second bend portions continuously decreases from the planar portion to each of the first and second distal ends.

Abstract: A suspension system for a golf car includes an axle housing having first and second brake drum/hubs rotatably supporting first and second driven wheels. A brake actuation arm is rotatably connected to each brake drum/hub. A bracket is connected to the axle housing. The bracket includes a first wall having a fastener receiving aperture, and an opposed second wall oriented at an angle with respect to the first wall. The second wall has a keyed aperture. A shock absorber is connected by a fastener to the fastener receiving aperture. A cable assembly has an outer sheath engaged with the second wall and a flexible cable slidingly disposed within the outer sheath and coupled to the brake actuation arm. A pin extending from a leaf spring is received in a bracket pin aperture. A further bracket aperture engages an assembly dolly.

Abstract: A height adjustable golf car suspension system includes an axle housing and first and second brackets connected to the axle housing. The first and second brackets each include a first U-shaped member welded to the axle housing, a second U-shaped member welded to the first U-shaped member, and a flange of the second U-shaped member having first and second apertures created through the flange. The first and second apertures receive a mounting fastener of a shock absorber and coil spring assembly. The first aperture is positioned above the second aperture. A height of the suspension system is adjustable by insertion of the mounting fastener into a select one of the first and second apertures of both the first and second brackets.

Abstract: A leaf spring assembly for a golf car includes a homogenous spring body having a rolled first end, a curving portion extending away from the rolled first end, a flat portion defining a second end, and a bend portion connecting the curving portion to the flat portion. A pin inserted through the rolled first end rotatably connects the rolled first end to a frame member of the golf car. A U-shaped bracket also connected to the frame member slidably supports the flat portion within the bracket permitting vertical deflections of the leaf spring body to be converted to fore-aft deflections of the flat portion.