Abstract: A plastic monocoque body useful with small vehicles, such as lawn and garden tractors. A lower fiberglass reinforced plastic frame member is bonded to two upper body members to form a monocoque body. The assembly incorporates attaching, pivot and support structures for the engine, transaxle and drive wheels, steerable front wheels, steering mechanism, clutch and brake pedals and control linkages, shift and throttle controls and linkages, adjustable mower deck, adjustable seat and battery. Through utilizing the net shape manufacturing process, no metal skeleton is required, thereby reducing the expense and complexity of manufacture, assembly and paint operations.

Abstract: A horizontally extending plate-like member having a power source, transaxle and belt arrangement coupled thereto. The member mounts the power source, transaxle, and belt arrangement to a vehicle frame, and establishes a lever arm between first and second coupling means for transferring relatively small concentrated loads to the vehicle frame. The power source, transaxle, belt arrangement and member can be removed from the vehicle frame for service as a single unit or module.

Abstract: A mechanism for coupling a vehicle control such as a foot pedal to a vehicle component such as a brake. The mechanism includes a rod member coupled to shift the component between operating modes, and having a rounded end portion. The control includes a recessed portion in abutment with the rounded end portion of the rod. A spring biases the rod into and against the recessed portion such that the rod is supported or carried by the recessed portion. Guides are formed in the vehicle frame for aligning the rod with the recessed portion during the process of manufacture.

Abstract: A mechanism for coupling vehicle components to a vehicle frame made of a plastic material. A bolt is received by generally aligned openings defined by the frame and the component, and a first nut threaded onto the bolt securely presses the frame and component together. A spacer or second nut carried by the bolt between the first nut and the component is positioned within the opening in the frame. The spacer is slightly smaller in depth than the frame member, and allows the frame to become slightly compress. The spacer limits the travel of the nut on the threads, thereby preventing the frame from being compressed beyond the elastic range of deflection. A module plate having the vehicle engine thereattached is carried between the second nut and the vehicle component. The second nut keeps the module plate and the component securely coupled together when the first nut is removed from the bolt, such that the module plate, the engine and the vehicle component can be removed from the frame as a single unit.

Abstract: An improved system for controlling the ground speed and direction of an off-road vehicle having systems for establishing and returning a variable speed transmission to the neutral position, an improved pedal system interconnected to the neutral location and return system for driving the vehicle in either the forward or the reverse direction. The pedal system includes a forward and a reverse pedal which are positioned on the vehicle so that an operator moves the toe of his foot in the direction that he wants the vehicle to move. The forward pedal is positioned closer to the front of the vehicle than the reverse pedal.

Abstract: In a V-belt drive having a rotating pulley and an annular flange formed about the pulley axis and extending axially from a side of the pulley; a plurality of vanes extending from the radial outer surface of the flange; a plurality of air passages extending through the flange with each passage having an axis directed radially outwardly and toward the plane of said pulley, said passages being close to but in trailing relation to a vane.