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: 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: In various embodiments of the present disclosure, a cargo bed pivoting panel assembly is provided. The assembly includes a panel having a pair of studs extending from corresponding opposing ends of the panel adjacent a bottom of the panel. The assembly additionally includes a main body having a first deck portion and a pair of opposing sidewalls extending substantially perpendicular from the first deck portion. Each sidewall includes an elongated receptacle for receiving, and slideably and pivotally retaining, a respective one of the studs. Accordingly, the panel can be moved between a stowed position and a deployed position by sliding the studs between first ends of the elongated receptacles and second ends of the elongated receptacles while simultaneously rotating the panel about a centerline of studs.

Abstract: In various embodiments of the present disclosure, a cargo bed pivoting panel assembly is provided. The assembly includes a panel having a pair of studs extending from corresponding opposing ends of the panel adjacent a bottom of the panel. The assembly additionally includes a main body having a first deck portion and a pair of opposing sidewalls extending substantially perpendicular from the first deck portion. Each sidewall includes an elongated receptacle for receiving, and slideably and pivotally retaining, a respective one of the studs. Accordingly, the panel can be moved between a stowed position and a deployed position by sliding the studs between first ends of the elongated receptacles and second ends of the elongated receptacles while simultaneously rotating the panel about a centerline of studs.

Abstract: A governor system is provided for limiting a degree of throttle travel of a throttle as a function of rotational speed of a drive axle. The governor system includes a governor shaft rotatably supported by the drive axle and operably interconnected to internal components of the drive axle for varying a feedback torque, a governor arm fixed for rotation with the governor shaft, a throttle cable interconnected with the governor arm for applying a first pulling force to the throttle and an accelerator cable resiliently interconnected with the governor arm to apply a second pulling force to the governor arm. The second pulling force induces rotation of the governor arm for applying a torque on the governor shaft. The torque balances with the feedback torque of the governor shaft for limiting the second pulling force as a function of the rotational speed of the drive axle.

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: 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: A governor system is provided for limiting a degree of throttle travel of a throttle as a function of rotational speed of a drive axle. The governor system includes a governor shaft rotatably supported by the drive axle and operably interconnected to internal components of the drive axle for varying a feedback torque, a governor arm fixed for rotation with the governor shaft, a throttle cable interconnected with the governor arm for applying a first pulling force to the throttle and an accelerator cable resiliently interconnected with the governor arm to apply a second pulling force to the governor arm. The second pulling force induces rotation of the governor arm for applying a torque on the governor shaft. The torque balances with the feedback torque of the governor shaft for limiting the second pulling force as a function of the rotational speed of the drive axle.

Abstract: A shift selector system is provided for selecting an operating mode of a vehicle axle. The system includes an operator shift mechanism including a rotatably supported cam rotatable between a forward position, a neutral position and a reverse position, and a spring operably interconnected to the cam for selectively biasing the cam toward one of the forward and reverse positions. An axle shift mechanism is operably interconnected to the vehicle axle and in remote communication with the operator shift mechanism. The axle shift mechanism includes a shift lever respectively rotatable with rotation of the cam for establishing the operating mode of the vehicle axle. The axle shift mechanism includes a compression spring assembly for enabling delayed rotation of the shift lever. A neutral lock mechanism is operably supported by the cam for selectively prohibiting rotation of the cam from the neutral position.

Abstract: A governor system is provided for limiting a degree of throttle travel of a throttle as a function of rotational speed of a drive axle. The governor system includes a governor shaft rotatably supported by the drive axle and operably interconnected to internal components of the drive axle for varying a feedback torque, a governor arm fixed for rotation with the governor shaft, a throttle cable interconnected with the governor arm for applying a first pulling force to the throttle and an accelerator cable resiliently interconnected with the governor arm to apply a second pulling force to the governor arm. The second pulling force induces rotation of the governor arm for applying a torque on the governor shaft. The torque balances with the feedback torque of the governor shaft for limiting the second pulling force as a function of the rotational speed of the drive axle.

Abstract: A shift selector system is provided for selecting an operating mode of a vehicle axle. The system includes an operator shift mechanism including a rotatably supported cam rotatable between a forward position, a neutral position and a reverse position, and a spring operably interconnected to the cam for selectively biasing the cam toward one of the forward and reverse positions. An axle shift mechanism is operably interconnected to the vehicle axle and in remote communication with the operator shift mechanism. The axle shift mechanism includes a shift lever respectively rotatable with rotation of the cam for establishing the operating mode of the vehicle axle. The axle shift mechanism includes a compression spring assembly for enabling delayed rotation of the shift lever. A neutral lock mechanism is operably supported by the cam for selectively prohibiting rotation of the cam from the neutral position.

Abstract: A governor system is provided for limiting a degree of throttle travel of a throttle as a function of rotational speed of a drive axle. The governor system includes a governor shaft rotatably supported by the drive axle and operably interconnected to internal components of the drive axle for varying a feedback torque, a governor arm fixed for rotation with the governor shaft, a throttle cable interconnected with the governor arm for applying a first pulling force to the throttle and an accelerator cable resiliently interconnected with the governor arm to apply a second pulling force to the governor arm. The second pulling force induces rotation of the governor arm for applying a torque on the governor shaft. The torque balances with the feedback torque of the governor shaft for limiting the second pulling force as a function of the rotational speed of the drive axle.