IE20130246A1

IE20130246A1 - A protection and carrier system

Info

Publication number: IE20130246A1
Application number: IE20130246A
Authority: IE
Inventors: Vincent Gill
Original assignee: Gill S Workshop Ltd
Priority date: 2012-09-06
Filing date: 2013-07-19
Publication date: 2014-04-09
Also published as: GB201312905D0; GB2505767B; GB2505767A; GB201215941D0; IE86473B1

Abstract

A unitary protection and carrier frame for an All-Terrain Vehicle (ATV) comprising a rear section extending the width of an ATV and two side guard sections extending substantially along either side of the ATV wherein the rear section extends vertically upwards and comprises a substantially arched shape with elongated parallel bars extending from the top of the arch to the tow bar of the ATV. The unitary protection and carrier frame comprises mounting means for attaching the frame to tow bar and rear carrier of the ATV.

Description

“A protection and carrier system” Introduction The invention relates to a protection and carrier frame for an All-Terrain Vehicle.

The use of All-Terrain Vehicles is getting more and more popular as working vehicles on farms or other industry. Unfortunately ATVs have a high incidence of accidents due to rolling, tipping over or back flipping.

There is a need for an improved protection and carrier system for an all-terrain vehicle which enhances the safety of driving an ATV.

Statements of Invention 15 According to the invention there is provided a unitary protection and carrier frame for an All-Terrain Vehicle (ATV) comprising a rear section extending the width of the ATV; and two side guard sections extending substantially along either side of the rear carrier 20 ofthe ATV; wherein the rear section extends vertically upwards and comprises a substantially arched shape with elongated parallel bars extending from the top of the arch to the tow bar of the ATV.

Preferably the protection and carrier frame comprises mounting means for attaching the frame to tow bar and rear carrier of the ATV.

In one embodiment of the invention the mounting means comprises a detachable collar plate attached to the distal end of the elongated parallel bars which engages with the tow | bar on the ATV. Preferably the fiat-collar plate comprises a central opening for receiving IE 1 3 0 2 46 the ball of a tow bar and openings on either side of the central opening for attachment to the ends of each of the parallel bars.

In one embodiment of the invention the mounting means for attaching the frame to the rear carrier comprises holding bars for attaching to the rear carrier of the ATV. Preferably the holding bars are sharply curved bars extending from a lower horizontal bar on the rear section of the frame which hook over the rear carrier of the ATV, Most preferably the holding bars are located at an outer edge ofthe rear section.

In another embodiment of the invention the mounting means for attaching the frame to the rear carrier comprise detachable straps and/or clips.

In one embodiment of the invention the elongated parallel bars are curved at a lower end to allow attachment with the tow bar ofthe ATV.

According to the invention there is provided a unitary protection and carrier frame for an All-Terrain Vehicle (ATV) comprising a rear section extending the width of the ATV; and two side guard sections extending substantially along either side of the ATV; wherein the rear section extends vertically upwards and comprises a substantially arched shape with elongated parallel bars extending from the top of the arch to the tow bar of the ATV and wherein the protection and carrier frame allows a rider in the event of a side or backwards roll-over to escape from under the upturned ATV without being trapped beneath or sustaining the full weight of the ATV.

IE 1 3 0 2 4 6 Brief Description ofthe Invention The invention will be more clearly understood from the following description thereof with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: 5 Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a protection and carrier frame according to the invention; Fig. 2 is a front view of the protection and carrier frame of Fig. 1; | Fig. 3 is a front side view of the protection and carrier frame of Fig. 1; Fig. 4 is a top view of the protection and carrier frame of Fig. 1; | Fig.5 is a perspective-exploded- view of the mounting means of the protection and carrier frame of the invention; | Fig. 6 is a perspective-exploded view of a mounting means of the protection and carrier frame according to another embodiment ofthe invention; Fig. 7 is front view of the mounting means of Fig. 6; Fig. 8 is a perspective view of the protection and carrier frame of the invention attached to the rear of an ATV; Fig. 9 is a schematic view of a conventional quad bike with a protection and carrier frame according to another embodiment of the invention; Fig. 10 is a perspective view of the protection and carrier frame of Fig. 9; IE 1 3 0 2 4 6 Fig. 11 is a perspective view of the protection and carrier frame of Fig. 10 attached to the back rack of a quad bike; Fig. 12 is a perspective view of the protection and carrier frame of Fig. 10 5 attached to the back rack of a quad bike showing additional attachment means; Fig. 13 is a perspective view of a protection and carrier frame according to another embodiment of the invention attached to the back rack of a quad bike; Fig. 14 is a perspective view of an altered back rack on a quad bike; Fig. 15 is a perspective view of a protection and carrier frame according to another embodiment of the invention; and Fig. 16 is a perspective view of the protection and carrier frame of Fig. 15 in position attached to the back rack of a quad bike.

Detailed description Quad bikes or all-terrain vehicles (ATVs) are increasingly being used as work vehicles in farming, forestry and other areas. As a result they are often required to transport heavy and cumbersome loads. Most of the ATVs on the market are not designed to carry heavy loads, they are simply viewed as a recreational vehicle or they have trailers or other equipment attached behind them. Carrier systems for quad bikes are known, however these carrier systems are only suitable for carrying small loads. These systems do not provide any safety element.

There is a propensity for ATVs and quad bikes in particular to roll over. Roll over can occur in any direction front, side or rear. It can take place suddenly even at low speeds. If a vehicle rolls over it can trap and crush the rider leading to serious and even fatal injury.

Unfortunately ATVs have a high incidence of accidents.

IEI 3 0 2 A 6 The ATV is designed to be “driver-active.” On a “driver-active” vehicle like an ATV the operator’s body movements helps control the ATV’s stability. Driver-active vehicles require a strong combination of skill, good judgment, attention, and physical strength.

It requires skill to maintain an ATVs centre of gravity especially when the ATV is being used more as a work vehicle. Safety has been a major issue with ATVs and quad-bikes due to the high number of deaths and injuries associated with them and the negligible protection offered by the machine.

Others have tried to address the issue of safety in roll over situations for example the “Quad bar” described in International Publication No. W02008/028226. While the “Quad bar” does provide some added protection to the rider, the “Quad bar” does not necessarily offer a lot of protection to the rider when the ATV rolls onto its side.

The present invention provides a robust protection and carrier system for an ATV which allows a rider to be protected in the event of a back flip as well as a side roll. It also provides an ATV with additional carrying capacity.

The present invention provides a protection and carrier frame for an ATV which enhances the carrying capacity of the quad bike and at the same time provides a safer vehicle as the frame prevents a rider from being pinned underneath if rollover of the ATV occurs.

It is important that the protection and carrier system does not adversely impact the driving of an ATV or quad bike. The load bearing capability of the protection and carrier system of the present invention allows the user to safely transport heavy and cumbersome loads while at the same time providing protection in the event of the ATV rolling over or back-flipping. The protection and carrier system-frame is designed to evenly spread the weight of the additional load being carried so that the driving ability of the ATV is not affected. The protection and carrier system-frame of the present invention is-able to support the full-weight of an overturned ATV in the event of a roll over. It allows an ATV-to support- a-weight of up-to 8001bs-(38-5kg). This is-the combined weight of the ATV and carry load. The protection and carrier frame of the invention provides an additional carry weight of up to 120kg.

The protection and carrier frame of the present invention provides a secure mounting base which allows the protection and carrier frame to withstand the weight of the rider, the ATV and an additional weight in the event that the vehicle turns or rolls over. The rear section of the protection and carrier system of the invention extends above the height of the driver or passenger of the ATV and prevents the rider from being trapped underneath the ATV in the event of roll over. Side guard arms on the protection and carrier frame prevent a rider from being trapped between the rear section of the protection frame and the ATV in the event of a roll-over. The protection and carrier frame of the invention is capable of withstanding impact and directional force without bending or straining. The protection and carrier frame allows a rider in the event of a roil over to escape safely from under the upturned ATV without being trapped beneath or sustaining the full weight of the ATV.

Fig. 1 shows the protection and carrier frame 1 of the invention. The frame 1 has a rear section 2 and two side guard sections 3. The rear section 2 has a substantially arched shape and elongated parallel bars 4 extend from the top of the arch to a tow bar on the ATV. Mounting means are detachably attached at the end of the parallel bars 4. The mounting means comprises a collar plate 5 attached to the distal end of the elongated parallel bars 4 which engage with the tow bar on the ATV. The collar plate 5 is an elongated flat plate. It has a centra! opening 6 for receiving the ball of a tow bar and receiving means 7 on either side of the central opening for attachment and securing the ends of each of the parallel bars 4. The receiving means 7 may be receiving holes as shown in Fig. 5. The ends of the parallel bars 4 are inserted into the receiving holes and releasably screwed into position. Alternatively as shown in Figs. 6 and 7 the receiving means 7 may be upright flanges between which the ends of the parallel bars 4 are sandwiched and releasably screwed into position. To attach the protection and carrier frame to a tow bar on an ATV or quad bike the ball of the tow bar is removed by 1E1 3 0 2 46 unscrewing it from the tow bar. The threaded bar is placed through the central opening 6 of the elongate flat plate 5 and the tow bar ball screwed back on.

The protection and carrier frame is also securely attached to the back rack 11 of the ATV.

As shown in Fig. 8, holding bars or hooks 10 on the rear section 2 hook over an outer bar of the back carrier 11 of the ATV securing the protection and carrier structure to the rear carrier. The holding bars are sharply curved bars extending from a lower horizontal bar on the rear section of the frame which hook over the rear carrier of the ATV. The holding bars 10 are located towards the outer sides of the rear section.

The mounting means to the tow bar and the attachment means to the back rack of an ATV provide sufficient movement to allow the protection and carrier system to easily move up and down as the suspension of the ATV is compressed.

The two side guard sections 3 extend at right angles to the rear section of the frame. The side guard sections 3 extend from either end of the rear section 2. The side guard sections 3 extend along the side of the back rack 11 of the ATV towards the front of the ATV. The side arms 3 provide means to contain any load being transported by the ATV. The side arms 3 also play a safety role in preventing a rider from being trapped between the rear section 3 of the frame and the body of the ATV in the event of the ATV rolling over.

The protection and carrier frame may be manufactured from tubular steel or any other suitable material that is strong and durable. The material needs to be capable of withstanding impact and directional force without bending or straining. It is a simple yet robust structure able to support heavy loads and/or the weight of a upturned ATV. It has to be a robust structure yet not too cumbersome so as to interfere with the driving experience.

The protection and carrier frame of the invention is manufactured as a unitary piece. The frame comprises a single piece. The holding bars may be an integral part of the rear section of the frame. The unitary structure provides a strong and durable structure. It IE1 3 0 2 46 also means it is very simple to attach to an ATV. The frame may be hooked onto the rear carrier of an ATV and then the detachable mounting means simply attached to the tow bar.

Figs. 9 to 16 show a protection and carrier system 1 according to another embodiment of the invention. Fig. 9 shows the protection and carrier frame of the invention attached to the rear of an ATV 35. In this embodiment the protection and carrier system 1 of the invention comprises two main sections, a vertical section and a horizontal section. The vertical section comprises a pair of parallel tubular bars 20. At the upper end the bars 20 are bent together. The bars may be bent together forming a substantially square arch shape. The parallel bars 20 may be bent together forming any other suitable shape. The lower end the parallel bars 20 are attached to an elongate flat plate 21. The flat plate 21 comprises three openings, a central opening 22 and two outer openings 23. To attach the carrier system to a tow bar on an ATV or quad bike the ball 24 of the tow bar is removed by unscrewing it from the tow bar. The threaded bar is placed through the central opening 22 of the elongate flat plate 21 and the tow bar ball screwed back on, Two screws thread through either outer opening 23 and thread through the end of each of the parallel bars 20.

The protection and carrier system of the invention is detachably mounted to the rear of an ATV at a ninety degree angle. The ends of the parallel bars 20 curve at a ninety degree angle to the flat plate 21. The parallel bars 20 extend vertically and the vertical section of the carrier system extends higher than the drivers head.

The horizontal section has a pair of parallel tubular bars 25 which run substantially parallel to the back rack 11 of an ATV or quad bike 35. The parallel tubular bars 25 run along the length ofthe back rack 11 and bend at an angle to follow the sides of the back rack 11. At either end the parallel bars 25 are bent together forming a square arch. Reinforcing struts may be added between the parallel bars to provide additional strength to the protection and carrier system IE 1 3 0 2 4 6 Fig. 12 shows one embodiment of the invention where the protection and carrier system is attached to the back rack 11 by means of straps 30. Fig. 13 shows another embodiment of the invention where the protection and carrier system interlocks with the back rack 11 of an ATV. In this instance the conventional back rack 11 of an ATV may be simply and easily replaced with an altered back rack incorporating a holding bar 31, The vertical parallel bars 20 of the protection and carrier system 1 are inserted down through the holding bar 31 of the back rack 11 and the ends of the bars 20 attached as described before to the elongate flat plate 21. Fig. 15 shows a further embodiment of the invention where hooks 33 on the horizontal section simply hook over and engage with an outer bar on the back rack 11 of the ATV.

The vertical section is substantially perpendicular to the horizontal section. The horizontal and vertical sections are manufactured from tubular steel and are welded to each other. Alternatively the vertical and horizontal sections are manufactured as a unitary piece. Any other suitable material may be used in the manufacture of the protection and carrier frame. The design of the protection and carrier frame is such that it is capable of withstanding impact and directional force without bending or straining. It is a simple yet robust structure able to support heavy loads and/or the weight of a rolled over ATV.

The carrier system uses the standard tow bar on a quad bike so that the system may be easily retro fitted to any quad bike. The carrier system is easily detached from the tow bar when required for storage, maintenance or cleaning.

The protection and carrier frame of the invention has been tested to ensure that it complies with safety standards. The frame was tested under the Lifting Operations and Lifting Equipment Regulations 1998 and the Supply of Machinery (Safety) Regulations |E1 3 0 2 4 6 1998 Based on feedback from a certified test house, this has been amended to the Motor Vehicie Directive and will be tested later this year. The frame was submitted and passed a stress test which was carried out with a 50T compression load cell. The frame was found to comply fully with the essential health and safety requirements of the EC Machinery Directive 2006/42/EC.

The invention is not limited to the embodiments herein before described which may be varied in detail.

Claims

1. A unitary protection and carrier frame for an All-Terrain Vehicle (ATV) comprising a rear section extending the width of the ATV; and two side guard sections extending substantially along either side of the rear carrier of the ATV; 10 wherein the rear section extends vertically upwards and comprises a substantially arched shape with elongated parallel bars extending from the top of the arch to the tow bar of the ATV.

2. A unitary protection and carrier frame as claimed in claim 1 comprising mounting 15 means for attaching the frame to tow bar and rear carrier of the ATV.

3. A unitary protection and carrier frame as claimed in claim 2 wherein the mounting means comprises a detachable collar plate attached to the distal end of the elongated parallel bars which engages with the tow bar on the ATV. J

4. A protection and carrier frame as claimed in claim 3 wherein the flat-collar plate comprises a central opening for receiving the ball of a tow bar and openings on either side of the central opening for attachment to the ends of each of the parallel bars.

5. A protection and carrier frame as claimed in claim 2 wherein the mounting means for attaching the frame to the rear carrier comprises holding bars for attaching to the rear carrier of the ATV. 30

6. A protection and carrier frame as claimed in claim 5 wherein the holding bars are sharply curved bars extending from a lower horizontal bar on the rear section of the frame which hook over the rear carrier of the ATV. IE1 3 0 2 46

7. , A protection and carrier frame as claimed in claim 5 or 6 wherein the holding bars are located at an outer edge of the rear section. 5

8. A protection and carrier frame as claimed in any of claims 2 to 7 wherein the mounting means for attaching the frame to the rear carrier comprise detachable straps and/or clips.

9. A protection and carrier frame as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the 10. Elongated parallel bars are curved at a lower end to allow attachment with the tow bar of the ATV.

10. A unitary protection and carrier frame for an All-Terrain Vehicle (ATV) comprising a rear section extending the width of the ATV; and two side guard sections extending substantially along either side of the ATV; 20 wherein the rear section extends vertically upwards and comprises a substantially arched shape with elongated parallel bars extending from the top of the arch to the tow bar of the ATV and wherein the protection and carrier frame allows a rider in the event of a side or backwards roll-over to escape from under the upturned ATV without being trapped beneath or sustaining the full weight of the ATV.

11. A protection and carrier frame substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the drawings.