Abstract: A continuously variable transmission housing including an inner cover and an outer cover that define an interior chamber that is structured and operable to enclose a continuously variable transmission primary pulley, secondary pulley and pulley belt. The housing includes a duct panel mounted to the inner cover such that when the primary pulley is disposed within the interior chamber, the duct panel is disposed between an outer face of the primary pulley and the inner cover. An air duct is defined between the inner cover and the duct panel, wherein the air duct is fluidly connected to ambient air from an ambient environment external to the housing. The duct panel forms at least a portion of an ambient air inlet of the housing and includes a center opening that structured and operable to allow the ambient air to be drawn through the air duct and into the housing interior chamber.

Abstract: A continuously variable transmission housing including an inner cover and an outer cover that define an interior chamber that is structured and operable to enclose a continuously variable transmission primary pulley, secondary pulley and pulley belt. The housing includes a duct panel mounted to the inner cover such that when the primary pulley is disposed within the interior chamber, the duct panel is disposed between an outer face of the primary pulley and the inner cover. An air duct is defined between the inner cover and the duct panel, wherein the air duct is fluidly connected to ambient air from an ambient environment external to the housing. The duct panel forms at least a portion of an ambient air inlet of the housing and includes a center opening that structured and operable to allow the ambient air to be drawn through the air duct and into the housing interior chamber.

Abstract: A continuously variable transmission housing is provided that includes an inner cover and an outer cover connectable to the inner cover to define an interior chamber. The interior chamber is structured and operable to enclose a continuously variable transmission primary pulley, secondary pulley and pulley belt. The housing includes a duct panel mounted to the inner cover such that when the primary pulley is disposed within the interior chamber, the duct panel is disposed between an outer face of the primary pulley and the inner cover. Moreover, an air duct is defined between the inner cover and the duct panel, wherein the air duct is fluidly connected to ambient air from an ambient environment external to the housing. The duct panel includes a center opening that structured and operable to allow the ambient air to be drawn through the air duct and into the housing interior chamber.

Abstract: A continuously variable transmission housing is provided that includes an inner cover and an outer cover connectable to the inner cover to define an interior chamber. The interior chamber is structured and operable to enclose a continuously variable transmission primary pulley, secondary pulley and pulley belt. The housing includes a duct panel mounted to the inner cover such that when the primary pulley is disposed within the interior chamber, the duct panel is disposed between an outer face of the primary pulley and the inner cover. Moreover, an air duct is defined between the inner cover and the duct panel, wherein the air duct is fluidly connected to ambient air from an ambient environment external to the housing. The duct panel includes a center opening that structured and operable to allow the ambient air to be drawn through the air duct and into the housing interior chamber.

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: 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: 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 golf car shock absorber mount assembly includes a tubular sleeve connected to a shock absorber. A shock absorber mount bracket is fixed to a frame structure of the vehicle and engages a first end of the tubular sleeve. A bushing assembly within the tubular sleeve includes an elastomeric bushing having an outside cylindrical surface contacting a tubular sleeve inner cylindrical surface and an inner bore defining a cylindrical wall. A rigid tubular member includes a cylindrical body portion having a body outside surface and a washer portion positioned proximate to and extending radially outward with respect to the cylindrical body portion. The body outside surface and the cylindrical wall are bonded. The assembly permits a shock-absorber load and at least two non-load directional axes of motion between the tubular sleeve and the tubular member.

Abstract: A frame for small utility vehicles. The frame allows for modular assembly such that the same frame can be utilized to manufacture small utility vehicles of varying configurations. The frame is configured to allow efficient assembly such that limited movement of the frame is required during the attachment of the various components to assemble the small utility vehicle. The components can be attached directly to the frame from either a top or side of the frame.

Abstract: A vehicle generally includes a frame. A first body panel is operably coupled to the frame. A strut extends generally into the first body panel and is operably coupled to the frame.

Abstract: A small utility vehicle frame has tubular frame members with blind holes therein. Threaded inserts are disposed in the blind holes and are axially and rotationally fixed to the tubular frame members. The threaded inserts allow attachment of components of the small utility vehicle to the frame without requiring access to the back of the blind opening to retain a fastener.

Abstract: A strut assembly is provided including a first wall portion, a second wall portion, and a third wall portion. The first wall portion can have an outer surface. and an aperture therethrough. The second wall portion can be disposed generally opposite the first wall portion. The third wall portion can connect the first and second wall portions. The strut is provided with a threaded insert that can be configured to engage a fastener between the outer surface of the first wall portion and the second wall portion.

Abstract: Seat support assembly for use in a small utility vehicle. The seat support assembly can be removably attached to a frame to allow assembly of small utility vehicles of varying configurations. Components of the seat support assembly can have various support features thereon to support other components of the small utility vehicle. The seat support assembly can be removably attached to the structural members of the frame with threaded fasteners, such as bolts.

Abstract: A small utility vehicle frame can include a unitary cast component. The unitary cast component can be a single, integral element or part having a variety of structural portions and/or attachment features formed therein. The attachment features can provide for the direct attachment of auxiliary frame components and other vehicle components to the unitary cast component. The unitary cast component can be machined to accommodate tolerances required for the attachment of other components. The unitary cast component can extend about two-thirds of the length of the vehicle frame.

Abstract: A shock absorber mounting system for a golf car includes a shock absorber having a connecting sleeve. A bushing is disposed within the connecting sleeve. A spacer sleeve having a through-aperture is received within and in contact with the bushing. A fastener having a shank with a threaded end is inserted through the through-aperture of the spacer sleeve with the threaded end engaged with a threaded aperture of a structural member of the golf car.

Abstract: A vehicle transmission detent assembly is provided that includes a housing having a bore. A movable shift rail is supported by the housing and includes a recess at least partially aligned with the bore. A detent is at least partially arranged within the bore and engages the recess. A biasing member generates a force on the detent and urges the detent into engagement with the recess. An adjustment member threadingly received within a portion of the housing coacts with the biasing member. Upon manipulation of the adjustment member, the biasing member may be moved between a plurality of compressive states in which each of the states generates a different force on the detent. In this manner, the biasing spring may be compressed or uncompressed to provide a desired shift feel.

Abstract: A low speed splitter transmission assembly includes a main gearbox and an auxiliary gearbox. The transmission assembly provides a relatively small numerical gear ratio step from the highest numerical gear ratio to the second highest gear ratio. The relatively small step between the highest and the second highest numerical gear ratios allows shifting from the highest numerical gear ratio during movement of the vehicle.

Abstract: An auxiliary gear box for a transmission is provided including a piston housing having a first and second bore. First and second pistons are respectively arranged within the first and second bores and separate each of the first and second bores into two chambers. First and second shift shafts respectively extends from the first and second pistons and are each connected to shift forks. The exposed surface area of the piston in the chamber having the shift shaft is less than the exposed surface area of the piston on the chamber opposite the shift shaft. As a result, if both chambers of a bore are pressurized, the piston will move in the direction of the chamber having the shift shaft since a greater force will be generated on the piston in the chamber without the shift shaft. A three actuator arrangement is used to selectively actuate the pistons.